Bessent flips script on shouting Democrat: 'No wonder people are leaving' his blue state

foxnews.com ^ | June 5, 2026 | Charles Creitz

[V_TWIN]

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was shouted at during a Committee hearing this week by a Chicago-area Democrat amid a heated exchange over the Trump economy.

At one point in the exchange, Bessent slammed Schneider's Democrat-run Illinois for driving people away through its own economic policies — a comment that incensed the lawmaker.

Bessent smiled and asked if that meant Schneider was "in agreement" with President Donald Trump — as the Democrat had listed off all the president’s goals otherwise ridiculed by critics.

"Unless an American life is lost, he does not believe that he will have to restart the kinetic attacks," Bessent said.

Schneider became increasingly agitated and reclaimed his time as the back-and-forth grew heated.

When Schneider responded that Bessent was out of touch and reiterated that he blamed Trump tariffs for commodity spikes for his Chicago-area constituents, Bessent smiled and offered him an invitation on how to fix that.

"Well, you Democrats should know — no wonder so many people are leaving Illinois. Why don't you come see me in South Carolina?" Bessent said, as Schneider continued in an elevated tone and claimed people were not leaving the Land of Lincoln.

"You're saying Illinois doesn't have net outbound migration?" Bessent quipped. Schneider then changed the subject to Trump’s settlement with the IRS over former Booz Allen Hamilton contractor Charles Littlejohn’s leak of his and others’ tax returns.

When Schneider fumed that no one, including Trump, is "above the law," Bessent said that the president is also not "beneath the law" and blamed Schneider’s party for "weaponizing the system."

"His taxes should never be leaked. No taxpayer information should be leaked…" Schneider began before Bessent injected his dry humor again.

"Then, congressman, would you like to apologize to the president right now on behalf [of your party]?"

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TOPICS: Chit/Chat
KEYWORDS: boozallenhamilton; bradschneider; charlescreitz; charleslittlejohn; chicago; illinois; scottbessent; shoutingdemocrat

[V_TWIN]

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This is like watching a mountain lion toy with a mouse. Lol!

Hysterical. SMH

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[pas]

I liked Rubio’s the other day. Is she leaving doesn’t she want to hear the answer? He kept having to use the Republicans time to actually answer the “questions” of the Dems.

[SuperLuminal]

The old expression: “Hung by his own petard”?
Shakespeare?

[ProtectOurFreedom]

That's a fun expression. I remember a friend and colleague telling me that maybe 50 years ago and looking it up at the time. It really fits when Rubio and Bessent take on the low-IQ Dems.

Literally, the phrase means a bomb-maker was blown off the ground (hoist) by his own bomb (petard). It commonly refers to an ironic reversal in which one is taken down by one's own scheme.

[rktman]

Yeah, trying to take on Bessent probably not a good plan. Rapier sharp.

[God luvs America]

When Schneider fumed that no one, including Trump, is “above the law,” Bessent said that the president is also not “beneath the law” and blamed Schneider’s party for “weaponizing the system.”

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Bessent missed an opportunity and should’ve started in on illegal immigration...

He is great though- he stuck it to Wyden...

[spintreebob]

Illinois would not have a NET loss of people leaving Illinois if Trump would allow illegal immigrants to move to Illinois so Illinois could have a net gain in population.

It is all Trump’s fault.

[SuperLuminal]

Thx...
Danged memory at 93 is spotty at best...😎

[arthurus]

Hoist by his own petard.

[Albion Wilde]

"Hoist by his own petard" —Shakespeare, Hamlet

[SuperLuminal]

Thanks for helping an old man remember...😎

[Albion Wilde]

I’m impressed that you came that close to verbatim! These days, schools and colleges are cancelling Shakespeare.