Senate confirms bessent: Pro‑sanction stance shakes Russia
The US Senate has confirmed Scott Bessent as the head of the Department of the Treasury. The candidate secured votes from most of the chamber, including 23 Democrats. Bessent, a well-known financier, is the fifth member of Donald Trump's cabinet to be confirmed by the Senate.
Bessent's nomination was approved by a vote of 68-29, with 23 Democrats voting in favor of the Republican.
During the hearings before the Senate Finance Committee, the billionaire and one of the campaign's sponsors expressed support for extending the tax cuts implemented during Trump's first term, as well as introducing new tariffs and preserving the independence of the Federal Reserve. He also argued that the tariffs announced by Trump would not lead to higher prices for American consumers.
Appeal to the Kremlin
Bessent also expressed support for increasing sanctions against Russia, including those in the oil sector.
"If any official in the Russian Federation is watching this hearing, they should know that if I am confirmed, and President Trump requests it, as part of his strategy to end the war in Ukraine, I will fully support implementing sanctions, especially against Russian oil giants, to levels that would compel the Russian Federation to come to the negotiating table," he declared.
The new Secretary of the Treasury was previously a partner in George Soros' investment fund and most recently led the fund he founded, Key Square Capital.
Thanks to the Senate vote, he became the highest-ranking openly gay man in the American administration.
