Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has left his Washington home for an undisclosed military base after threats that have been described as death threats from Iran. On Friday, he confirmed the move publicly for the first time, according to The Jerusalem Post, which is the only outlet in the reporting reviewed that makes the "first time" claim.
In an interview with CNBC host Joe Kernen, Bessent said he relocated at the direction of the Secret Service. He then dropped any diplomatic tone. "F the Iranian leadership," he said, by The Jerusalem Post's account. The Post also quoted him saying, "I'm not going to be cowered by the death threats they have made against me." Other outlets render his wording slightly differently, and the original CNBC interview was not available for this story, so all of his quotes here come secondhand.
The story matters beyond one man's address. According to the New York Times, as relayed by NewsNation, Bessent has led the push to cut cash to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and intelligence about threats was part of the decision to move him.
What Is Known About the Threats
Not much has been made public. NBC News reported that the nature of the threats has not been disclosed, and the administration has not said exactly when Bessent moved. A senior administration official told Fox News the threats had reached "more than an advanced stage," but declined to give a date for the relocation.
The Jerusalem Post reported that the New York Times and Reuters first reported the move earlier in the week, citing intelligence warnings.
Al Jazeera reported that Iran is said to have geo-located Bessent's home, which it described as a $12.5 million Washington mansion. That claim has not been confirmed, and the price figure appears in only one outlet's report.
A Newspaper Photo Draws Fire
Bessent also used the interview to criticize The Wall Street Journal for publishing a photo of his home. A source told NBC that security concerns grew after the picture ran. The Jerusalem Post reported that the Journal ignored requests from Bessent's staff not to publish it; that claim comes from that outlet alone.
The timing is murky. The Hill reported the image was an aerial photo of his Georgetown home that appeared in a Journal article in January 2025, while other reports framed it as more recent. Whether that photo is what actually prompted the move has not been confirmed.
Bessent is not alone. The Hill reported that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio also live on military bases.
The Pressure Campaign Behind It
According to NewsNation, citing the New York Times, Bessent has led the push since August to cut off cash to the Revolutionary Guard. A Treasury spokesperson named the effort Operation Economic Outcast, and it runs alongside a naval blockade. The Hill reported that the conflict with Iran began in late February.
The Jerusalem Post reported that Bessent described the Guard as "a dangerous animal backed into a corner," and said the threats show the campaign is working.
His department echoed him. A Treasury spokesperson said Bessent "will not be deterred by the Iranian regime's threats" and remains committed to the operation and the blockade.
President Trump, asked about credible threats against his Treasury secretary, said there was "a threat all the time," NBC reported. The rest of his answer was not available in the reporting reviewed for this story.
There has been other security movement. NBC and CNBC reported that military aircraft were shifted from a base in Britain, and NewsNation reported that police evacuated a village near RAF Fairford as bombers were pulled from that base. The dates of those moves are not given in the reporting, and any link to the threats against Bessent is unconfirmed.
What Comes Next
Treasury says the sanctions and the blockade continue. CNBC reported that Attorney General Todd Blanche has said plotters against military bases will be prosecuted, though that has not been tied to Bessent. For now, the open questions are whether the Treasury secretary's security arrangements change, whether officials say more about the threats, and whether the White House has anything further to say.
A 6-Month Emergency Food Supply: 2,000+ Calories a Day for One Person
This Tactical Flashlight Also Breaks Car Glass and Cuts Seatbelts
The Fire Starter That Lights on Snow, Damp Ground, Even Standing Water
Bake Pizza Anywhere: The Ember Portable Oven by InstaFire
This Countertop Filter Reduces 206 Contaminants Found in Drinking Water
Ready Hour 4-Week Food Supply: 2,000+ Calories a Day, Stores Up to 25 Years
0 Comments
Be the first to comment.