Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was quietly moved to a military base in Washington in the last few weeks because of Iranian threats, according to multiple sources familiar with the situation.
The severity and scope of the Iranian threats to Bessent are not immediately clear, and the Trump administration has not detailed the nature of the threats.
Bessent was reportedly living in Washington’s Georgetown neighborhood until the move.
Other Cabinet officials including Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are currently living on military bases while in Washington.
Bessent becomes the latest in a growing number of senior administration officials who have moved to military bases for their safety. Multiple senior administration officials were moved to protected housing or military bases last year, including White House chief of staff Stephen Miller.
A Treasury Department spokesperson told ABC News that the “Secretary will not be deterred by the Iranian regime’s threats and remains committed to executing Operation Economic Outcast and maintaining the blockade, which together are collapsing Iran’s economy.”
Bessent has led an economic pressure campaign against Iran — including sanctions that he said in September are meant to “economically asphyxiate this regime.”
A source familiar with the matter said a media report about the location of Bessent’s home increased security concerns. That media report was published in January 2025, and actions were only taken recently to move Bessent.
The Secret Service, which protects Bessent, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The New York Times first reported Bessent’s relocation.
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