Story perspectives

Treasury Secretary Divests Farmland Amid Ethics Scrutiny

12/7/2025

Summary

Story summary

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent divested from his North Dakota soybean farmland to comply with federal ethics requirements on December 7, 2025.
The divestment occurred just before a December 15 deadline as he oversees trade negotiations with China.
Ethics watchdogs highlighted the delay earlier in the year.
Bessent has shed the holdings, but concerns remain about his influence on agricultural policy and whether the divestment came too late to restore trust.

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Story summary

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent divested from his North Dakota soybean farmland to comply with federal ethics requirements on December 7, 2025.
The divestment occurred just before a December 15 deadline as he oversees trade negotiations with China.
Ethics watchdogs highlighted the delay earlier in the year.
Bessent has shed the holdings, but concerns remain about his influence on agricultural policy and whether the divestment came too late to restore trust.