CODEPINK chaos spilled into a Washington, D.C., restaurant Wednesday night when left-wing activists confronted Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent during a private dinner, accusing him of causing global suffering through U.S. sanctions.
Bessent was dining at Reveler’s Hour when Olivia DiNucci, identified as a member of the activist group CODEPINK, interrupted the restaurant by clinking a glass and addressing patrons. “We want to make an announcement! We have a special guest here, and we want to make a toast for the Secretary of the Treasury, Scott Bessent!” she said. She then accused him of enjoying dinner while others suffer, adding, “So let’s give it up for the man who is eating in peace as people starve across the world based on his sanctions, which are economic warfare.”
DiNucci escalated her claims, alleging, “He oversees the deaths of 600,000 people due to sanctions annually,” before demanding, “How many people are going to die because of the blood that’s on your hands?” Video from the scene captured boos from diners, though it was unclear whether the reaction targeted the activist or the confrontation itself.
Bessent, seated in a corner of the restaurant, briefly responded. Raising his own glass, he said, “You are ignorant, and you have no idea how ignorant you are.”
CODEPINK later claimed Bessent confronted restaurant staff and left the venue. The group pointed to a Lancet report alleging sanctions contribute to hundreds of thousands of deaths each year due to shortages of food, water, and medical care.
The incident occurred shortly before President Donald Trump delivered a nationally televised address highlighting his administration’s accomplishments.
