Senate

Bessent deflects Van Hollen’s attempt to corner him on Pretti’s Second Amendment right

By Molly Parks
Published February 5, 2026 4:55pm ET
Add Washington Examiner on Google

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent swerved a question from Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) during his Senate hearing on Thursday, bringing up Ashli Babbitt’s Jan. 6 Capitol attack death when asked a question about the Minneapolis shooting of Alex Pretti.

Bessent appeared before the Senate banking committee on Thursday to testify on the Financial Stability Oversight Council’s Annual Report for 2025. When Van Hollen began questioning Bessent, he first pressed him on his response to the January shooting of Pretti by multiple Border Patrol agents.

Already a print subscriber? Click here to login/register your account

Trusted reporting.Unlimited access.

Subscribe for full access to Washington Examiner coverage, expert political analysis, and subscriber-only journalism.

Get Unlimited Access

Already a member? Log in

Cancel anytime.

Tag:

Chris Van Hollen ICE January 6 Scott Bessent Senate Banking Committee Shootings Treasury Department Washington D.C.