Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent clashed with Rep. Maxine Waters during a heated House hearing over claims that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, had “unfettered” access to sensitive Treasury data. Bessent denied this, stating there’s “no such thing as a DOGE employee,” and clarified the access was read-only and under his direct supervision.

Tensions rose as Waters accused him of irresponsibly allowing outsiders into Treasury systems. In a lighter moment, Bessent reminded Waters they had met years ago in the Bahamas, which she did not recall. The exchange came amid Bessent’s rising popularity, as a J.L. Partners poll showed him as the most approved Trump Cabinet member (+14). President Trump also saw a surge in support following his new tariff policies, gaining traction with young voters, Democrats, independents, and black Americans. Despite backlash from the media and political opposition, Trump’s approval ratings have climbed significantly across key demographics.