Republicans slam ‘woke stunt’ as room groans over gender-based attack on gay Trump appointee
Washington, D.C. — A fiery exchange erupted on Capitol Hill Wednesday as Democrat Rep. Linda Sanchez of California launched a gender-based accusation against Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, a Trump appointee, during a House Ways and Means Committee hearing—prompting open groans and backlash from both lawmakers and the public.
The hearing, meant to address the economic impact of trade negotiations and tariffs, quickly went off the rails when Sanchez, during her five-minute questioning window, accused Bessent of interrupting her “because I’m a woman.”
“Please don’t interrupt me,” Sanchez snapped. “I know I’m a woman, but please try to limit yourself to answering my questions.” The comment immediately triggered an audible reaction from the chamber, with one stunned witness muttering, “Oh, come on.”
SHAMEFUL: @RepLindaSanchez baselessly accuses @SecScottBessent of being sexist because he tried to correct her lie that "prices are rising."
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) June 11, 2025
FACT: Under @POTUS, Americans have seen the first overall price decline since 2020. pic.twitter.com/mQUe0D9otw
Republicans Respond: ‘A Cheap Political Stunt’
Republican lawmakers and staffers could be seen visibly reacting to the moment, some shaking their heads while others leaned over to confer in disbelief. Chairman Adrian Smith (R-NE) quickly stepped in to calm the tension, reminding members to observe decorum and time limits.
“This isn’t a campaign rally,” one GOP aide told Fox News Digital. “Dragging identity politics into a serious economic hearing does nothing but distract from the facts.”
Bessent, a Trump Appointee and Openly Gay Cabinet Member, Remains Focused
Secretary Bessent, notably the first openly gay Treasury Secretary in U.S. history, did not engage with Sanchez’s insinuation. Instead, he stayed on message—defending Trump-era tariffs and slamming the Biden administration for letting China off the hook.
“China did meet its commitments under President Trump,” Bessent stated firmly. “But this administration didn’t enforce a thing.”
He pointed to the progress made during the recent U.S.-China summit in Geneva, saying the deal secured was “only the beginning of a longer and tougher process.”
Sanchez Doubles Down with Disputed Claims
Unshaken by the backlash, Sanchez continued pressing Bessent, claiming American families are “paying $3,000 more”for goods due to tariffs. She offered no sourcing for the number, and Bessent swiftly refuted it.
“That’s simply not accurate,” he responded. “The cost impact has been overstated, and most inflationary pressure came from stimulus spending—not tariffs.”
White House Fires Back—Against Its Own Party
In a rare move, even the Biden White House distanced itself from Sanchez’s remarks. In a post from the official rapid response account, the administration labeled the incident “shameful behavior” and urged members of Congress to “focus on policy, not personal attacks.”
The message left political observers stunned. “For the White House to rebuke a member of their own party so publicly—especially on gender accusations—is telling,” said former Trump trade advisor Peter Navarro. “Even they know this was a distraction from a solid economic message.”
No Apology from Sanchez’s Office
As of Thursday morning, Sanchez’s office had not responded to media requests for comment, including multiple inquiries from Fox News Digital.
The viral moment has already racked up millions of views online, with conservative commentators blasting the exchange as “performative grandstanding” while liberal outlets scrambled to reframe the narrative.
“America is tired of this nonsense,” said Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-NY). “While families are struggling with higher prices, Democrats are playing the victim card—against a gay man appointed by a Republican president. You can’t make this stuff up.”
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She’s just another leftist turd out to make trouble, which is to be expected from such people, but everyone needs to stop calling homosexuals “gay”; that is a gross misuse of the word, which only means “happy” and “carefree”, not sexual deviant.
True, use “homosexuality addiction” and “homosexics”. Their addiction is based in mental depression, not happiness. Although I have overheard homosexic men disparage women and show hate of women. They prolly became homosexual out of spite from hate of a woman they wanted that jilted them.
How many more deranged morons can CA sent to Congress
She is just one of the reasons California needs stricture voting laws with voter ID and proof of citizenship. If voters in California really voted for the congresswoman, Governor, LA Mayor and others, then they deserve stupidity. The politicians only care about money and power period. Americans it is time to hold these people accountable after eight years of no one is above the law, we care about the middle class lies. True colors when support terrorist and illegals over it’s own citizens. Citizens in blue districts you are in for a very long summer of terror. These people want you to work for them not them work for you. Pelosi taught them well on that. Congress hear me now, if you send any money to California and other blue districts you better have receipts for every penny they spend it on. I am tired of my hard working taxpayer money going to people like this. Especially to know we the citizens of US have paid these idiots so call peaceful protesters and big wigs help them through NGO’s. These people can threaten others, but threaten them and it is against the law. The left have bought and paid for the judicial system in this country. Like get out jail free cards. Unmask them all so we Americans citizens can see who can be bought.