Presidents have historically leaned on their national security officials to inform the public about their wars. <\/p>\n
But as President Donald Trump scrambles to contain market fallout from Iran, his administration is increasingly tapping Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to make its case. <\/p>\n
One former treasury official said that the decision to book Bessent on the Sunday shows was \u201cweird,\u201d adding that it \u201csignals dysfunction.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy are you putting your treasury secretary, who doesn\u2019t have any kind of national security experience, as the face?\u201d the former official added. <\/p>\n
But others argue it\u2019s a good idea. Among them: Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., who told Semafor he was surprised \u201cat first\u201d but now \u201cbelieve[s], because Scott is very well-regarded in economic circles, that it probably makes sense\u201d given \u201call the churn.\u201d <\/p>\n
Bessent is \u201cvery good at what he does,\u201d Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., said. <\/p>\n
Not everyone is so thrilled: Asked about the White House\u2019s decision to put Bessent on TV to make the case for war rather than Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, told Semafor that \u201cwhether it\u2019s how it\u2019s being communicated in the media or how it\u2019s being communicated here in the Congress, I think [the administration\u2019s information-sharing on Iran] is lacking.\u201d<\/p>\n
As Treasury secretary, Bessent also serves on the National Security Council<\/a>.<\/p>\n