Treasury Secretary Bessent's Volatile Temper Sparks Exodus of Top Officials

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has reportedly fostered a volatile work environment, contributing to the departure of seven Senate-confirmed officials from the department by the end of August. This exodus stands in stark contrast to previous administrations, which saw no more than two officials leave by the same point in their terms.

According to accounts from more than a dozen current and former officials, Bessent's conduct has been a significant factor, and at times the deciding one, in several of these departures. Staff members have described instances of Bessent berating senior advisers and junior staffers alike, with some employees reportedly checking his mood before approaching him and expressing relief when he is out of the office.

One notable incident involved Bessent becoming enraged over the layout of his daily briefing book, allegedly hurling the binder at a wall. In January, he reportedly unleashed a profanity-laced tirade at John Hurley, the undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, in front of aides. This outburst followed a directive from President Trump for Bessent to investigate fraud allegations in Minnesota's Somali community, with Bessent believing Hurley was not acting quickly enough. Weeks later, Hurley departed to become the U.S. ambassador to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

Bessent has denied throwing the binder, while a Treasury spokesperson stated that he "has high expectations" for the department and that professionalism and accountability are among the administration's accomplishments.

Despite these reports, President Trump, who reportedly speaks with Bessent almost daily, has maintained a close relationship with the Treasury Secretary, once joking at an event, "I created a monster."

Bessent's influence extends to foreign policy, where he has reportedly advised President Trump on the war in Iran, advocating for a strategy of airstrikes in exchange for sanctions. However, the conflict's unclear end and the president's expectation of further bombing campaigns after upcoming elections, coupled with persistent high gas prices, high inflation, and stalled economic growth, present significant challenges. The bond market has also seen a selloff, with 10-year Treasury yields reaching over two-decade highs despite a buyback program initiated by Bessent. The national deficit has surpassed 6 percent of GDP, double Bessent's initial target for Trump, and the national debt has exceeded $40 trillion.

Reports of Bessent's temper are not limited to the Treasury Department. Early in Trump's second term, he was involved in a heated exchange with Elon Musk in the West Wing over IRS matters. Additionally, at a MAGA club event in September 2025, Bessent allegedly threatened to punch housing chief Bill Pulte over claims that Pulte was speaking negatively about him to the president. In December, Bessent also reportedly spat in his own food after confronting restaurant staff over liberal protesters from Code Pink.

Steve Bannon, an acquaintance of Bessent, acknowledged that the Treasury Secretary "has a tripwire and he's got a temper."