WSJ: Bessent's temper strains US Treasury as seven senior officials depart
In short
The Wall Street Journal reported on October 7 that US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has berated staff, including shouting and swearing at Under Secretary John Hurley in January and throwing a binder at a wall last year, according to interviews with about 30 people. Seven Senate-confirmed Treasury officials left by the end of August, compared with zero to two in the same period of the previous four administrations. Bessent denied throwing the binder, and the Treasury and White House defended his approach.
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The Wall Street Journal reported on October 7 local time that US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has sharply rebuked senior aides and junior staff alike over matters large and small, according to interviews with about 30 current and former Trump administration officials, Wall Street associates and others. At least 12 current and former Treasury officials described the behaviour, Dong-A Ilbo reported. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
In a January meeting, Bessent reportedly shouted and swore at John Hurley, then Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, in front of aides. Yonhap and Korea Economic Daily said the exchange concerned an investigation, ordered by President Trump, into alleged fraud in Minnesota's Somali community, and Yonhap said Bessent considered Hurley passive. Hurley later left to become US ambassador to the OECD. Korea Economic Daily reported that after leaving, Hurley called Bessent a smart and fearless warrior for President Trump and the American people. Last year Bessent reportedly threw a binder at a wall over the format of the daily briefing book. He denied this to the WSJ. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
According to the Partnership for Public Service, seven Senate-confirmed officials left the Treasury between Bessent taking office and the end of August, compared with zero to two in the same period of the previous four administrations. Only one post has been refilled, and the general counsel, tax policy and domestic finance roles remain vacant. Yonhap cited the WSJ as saying Bessent's behaviour contributed to the departures and in some cases was the main factor. Dong-A Ilbo reported that some applicants dropped out after hearing about his conduct. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Some staff reportedly ask colleagues about his mood before meeting him, and some said they felt relief when he was out of the office. Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon, who said he has known Bessent for nearly ten years, said he is a good person with a quick temper. Bannon described Bessent's attitude to staff as: focus on the mission; he does not care about their feelings, and if they are upset they can leave. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
A Treasury spokesperson said Bessent works with urgency and accountability to deliver results for Americans, and the White House said he had brought professionalism and accountability to the department. A senior administration official told the WSJ that "Scott cannot fail." [ 2 ]
The outlets linked the pressure to Bessent's '3-3-3' plan: cutting the deficit to 3% of GDP by 2028, lifting growth to 3% and adding 3 million barrels a day of oil output. The CBO projects 2.2% growth and a deficit of $1.853 trillion, or 5.8% of GDP, this year, while Yonhap put the deficit above 6% of GDP. National debt recently passed $40 trillion. Dong-A Ilbo cited the WSJ as saying Bessent, 20 months into the job, faces Wall Street scepticism and an economy that could hurt Republican chances in the November midterm elections. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
South Korean outlets tied the report to vacancies in senior Treasury posts, including general counsel, tax policy and domestic finance, of which only one has been refilled. They also linked it to pressure on Bessent to deliver the administration's '3-3-3' economic targets, which the cited figures show are not yet being met.
Key facts
- The Wall Street Journal published its report on Bessent's work style on October 7 local time, based on interviews with about 30 current and former officials, Wall Street associates and others. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- In January, Bessent reportedly shouted and swore at John Hurley, then Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, in a meeting. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Last year Bessent reportedly threw a binder at a wall over the format of the daily briefing book; he denied this to the WSJ. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Seven Senate-confirmed officials left the Treasury between Bessent taking office and the end of August, against zero to two in the same period of the previous four administrations. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Only one of the vacated posts has been refilled; the general counsel, tax policy and domestic finance posts remain empty. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Hurley later left the Treasury to become US ambassador to the OECD. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The '3-3-3' plan aims to cut the federal deficit to 3% of GDP by 2028, raise growth to 3% and increase oil output by 3 million barrels a day. [ 1 , 2 ]
- US national debt recently passed $40 trillion. [ 1 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The WSJ report was based on interviews with about 30 people, including current and former administration officials. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Bessent reportedly shouted and swore at Under Secretary John Hurley in a January meeting. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Bessent reportedly threw a binder at a wall last year over the daily briefing book. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Bessent denied to the WSJ that he threw the binder. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Seven Senate-confirmed Treasury officials left by the end of August, compared with zero to two in the previous four administrations. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The departure figures come from the Partnership for Public Service. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Steve Bannon described Bessent as a good person with a quick temper. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Some staff ask colleagues about Bessent's mood before meeting him and share tips on handling him when he is angry. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Hurley moved from the Treasury to become US ambassador to the OECD. [ 1 , 2 ]
Still unclear
- How far Bessent's behaviour drove the departures. Yonhap cites the WSJ as saying it contributed and in some cases was the most important factor, while Dong-A Ilbo says officials resigned in protest; no departing official is quoted giving that reason.
- The current size of the federal deficit. Yonhap says it has exceeded 6% of GDP, while Korea Economic Daily cites a CBO projection of 5.8% of GDP this year and an average of 6.1% over the next ten years.
- Bessent's response to the other allegations. The documents report only his denial of the binder incident; they do not say whether he responded to the other accounts.
- Whether some candidates declined Treasury posts because of his behaviour. Only Dong-A Ilbo reports that some applicants told the WSJ they withdrew after hearing about his conduct.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- October 8: Yonhap reports on the WSJ article published on October 7 local time. [ 1 ]
- October 8: Korea Economic Daily reports the departures, Bessent's denial and the Treasury and White House response. [ 2 ]
- October 8: Dong-A Ilbo reports on the resignations and the pressure on Bessent ahead of the November midterm elections. [ 3 ]