Rep Waters asks ‘Can you shut him up?’ during Treasury Bessent testimony

Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent clashed Wednesday over President Donald Trump’s financial agenda, with the irate congresswoman at one level asking if anybody may “shut him up.”

The fiery change occurred throughout Bessent’s testimony earlier than the Home Monetary Providers Committee. Waters, a member of the committee, requested a sequence of questions in regards to the inflationary influence of Trump’s tariffs on American shoppers — and demanded a yes-or-no reply.

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Waters: So I ask you, Secretary Bessent, will you be the voice of cause on this administration and urge President Trump to cease waging a battle on American shoppers, damaging housing affordability and endangering the economic system? Sure or no. You do not have to clarify it.

Berry: Consultant-

Waters: Do you wish to be the voice of cause? Do you wish to be the voice of cause?

Consultant Maxine Waters requested Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent a sequence of questions earlier than the 2 clashed over fee coverage on February 4, 2026. (Alex Wroblewski/AFP/Getty Pictures)

Berry: A research from Wharton College confirmed:

Waters: Reclaiming my time. Reclaiming my time. Mr. Chairman, would you please let him know if I ask for my time to be reclaimed…

Rep. French Hill, R-Ariz., chairman of the Home Monetary Providers Committee: The time belongs to the girl from California.

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Berry: Ten to twenty million immigrants –

Waters: Are you able to shut him up?

Berry: What in regards to the housing provide for working People? And might you keep a sure degree of dignity?

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent testified earlier than the Home Monetary Providers Committee on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, about President Donald Trump’s financial insurance policies. (Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg/Getty Pictures)

Hill: The woman’s time has expired.

Waters: No, my time has not expired.

Hill: Your time has expired. Mr-

Waters: The gentleman took up my time. I feel you must acknowledge that, Mr. Chairman.

Hill: The woman’s time has expired.

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The Supreme Court docket is predicted to rule on whether or not the Trump administration’s buying and selling duties exceeded presidential authority. Pictured: An American flag flies over ship cranes and containers in Lengthy Seaside, California, on March 4, 2019. (Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Pictures)

Bessent’s testimony comes because the Trump administration awaits a Supreme Court docket ruling on whether or not a number of the commerce tariffs imposed in 2025 exceeded presidential authoritya call that might have broad penalties for the present tariff measures.

Tariffs are taxes imposed on imported items. Though paid by firms on the border, the prices are sometimes handed on higher pricesin consequence, shoppers need to bear a big a part of the burden.