‘Can You Shut Up?’: House Democrats and Scott Bessent Get Into Shouting Matches During Hearing

Questions on issue areas from housing policy to the Trump family’s cryptocurrency business sparked shouting matches between Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Democratic lawmakers at a House hearing Wednesday.

“Can you shut up?” Rep. Maxine Waters, the ranking member on the Financial Services Committee, said after Bessent began a lengthy answer to her yes or no question about whether he will urge President Donald Trump “to stop waging a war” on housing affordability by ending tariffs on construction materials.

“Can you maintain some level of dignity?” Bessent responded.

The charged exchange kicked off a series of combative questions and answers between the Treasury secretary, who has defended Trump’s controversial tariff policies, and Democratic lawmakers.

Bessent repeatedly declined to stick to yes or no responses, leading the committee members to talk over him, requesting their speaking time back from the Financial Services Committee chair, Rep. French Hill.

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, who remarked that the hearing was “embarrassing,” posed questions to Bessent about the independence of the Federal Reserve and whether he would advise the president to force the Fed to cut interest rates.

“I believe in the independence of the Federal Reserve, but I also believe in accountability,” Bessent said.

“The Federal Reserve should be independent for monetary policy, and every other program it undertakes impinges on the monetary policy independence, whether it is cost of overruns on a building, whether it is intruding on the climate, whether it is offering political opinions,” the Treasury secretary added.

Trump has publicly pressured Fed Chair Jerome Powell for lower rates. Powell announced in January that the Department of Justice had opened a criminal investigation into him. The DOJ said the investigation is related to a multibillion-dollar renovation of historic Fed office buildings.

In another exchange, Rep. Gregory Meeks asked Bessent if he would investigate the licensing application of World Liberty Financial, the Trump family’s crypto company that received $500 million from a company led by the United Arab Emirates’ national security adviser for a 49% stake.

“In 2006, you traveled to Venezuela to lobby Hugo Chávez on behalf of your donors,” Bessent began.

“I take that as a no,” Meeks repeated, raising his voice and speaking over Bessent. “I’m asking you to do your responsibility as secretary of the Treasury.”

Hill banged his gavel to signal the end of Meeks’ allotted speaking time.

“Stop covering for the president. Stop being his flunky,” Meeks shouted across the room, pointing his finger at Bessent.

Hill later asked attendees to be “mutually respectful” and offered a reminder that the speaking time belongs to the members, and during that time, they do not have to ask a question.

Rep. Stephen Lynch interrupted Bessent when the Treasury secretary began talking about the Biden administration in response to a question about the Trump administration’s dismissal and rollback of enforcement actions against corporations.

“Mr. Chairman, the answers have to be responsive if we’re going to have a serious hearing here,” Lynch said.

“The questions have to be serious,” Bessent replied.