A quiet dinner in Washington, D.C., shattered Wednesday night as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent found himself the target of a direct, public accusation. Protesters confronted him while he was dining, leveling charges of “economic war crimes” stemming from sanctions enacted during the previous administration.
The scene unfolded at Reveler’s Hour, where Olivia DiNucci, representing the activist group CODEPINK, dramatically announced Bessent’s presence to the restaurant. She raised her glass in a pointed, sarcastic toast, drawing the attention of fellow diners.
“Let’s give it up for the man who is eating in peace as people starve across the world,” DiNucci declared, her voice carrying through the restaurant. She directly linked Bessent’s position to widespread suffering, accusing him of orchestrating “economic warfare” through sanctions.
The protest escalated with a stark claim: that the sanctions overseen by Bessent contributed to approximately 600,000 deaths annually. DiNucci’s words were laced with accusation, questioning the weight of “blood” on his hands.
A wave of boos erupted from the restaurant patrons, though the target of their disapproval remained unclear – directed at the protesters or the Secretary himself. The atmosphere thickened with tension and conflicting reactions.
Bessent, seated in a corner, responded with immediate and forceful defiance. He dismissed the protesters as “ignorant,” emphasizing what he perceived as a complete lack of understanding of the complexities involved.
The protesters referenced a report published by The Lancet, a respected medical journal, which estimated that unilateral sanctions lead to around 564,000 deaths each year. These deaths are attributed to the resulting food insecurity, lack of access to essential medical care, and critical resource shortages.
Following the confrontation, CODEPINK alleges that Bessent engaged with restaurant staff in a heated manner before abruptly leaving the establishment. The incident occurred shortly before a nationally televised address by the former President.
This public outburst isn’t an isolated incident for Bessent. Reports surfaced earlier this year detailing a private dinner where he allegedly threatened a top housing finance official with physical violence, reportedly threatening to punch him “in the f face” in front of numerous colleagues.
