Two key officials in the Trump administration are reportedly experiencing tension, according to a recent report. Citing people familiar with the matter, Axios indicates friction between Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and National Cyber Director Sean Cairncross, with the catalyst being the government's response to advanced AI models. The clash over AI policy has deepened following the latest dispute involving Anthropic.
According to Axios, Cairncross believes the Treasury Department has become overly involved, while Bessent and his allies in the White House think Cairncross has not shown the necessary urgency. The report notes that the conflict traces back to early policymaking stages, specifically regarding the government's response to Anthropic's advanced AI model, "Mythos," which revealed vulnerabilities in legacy software.
Last month, Politico reported that Bessent was displeased with the administration's pace of action and disagreed with Cairncross over their respective roles and jurisdictions. Sources say the Treasury Secretary grew concerned that the National Cyber Director was not moving quickly enough to address potential security threats posed by Mythos to critical infrastructure and financial systems. The arrival of Anthropic's advanced software accelerated these concerns, complicating an already tense policy debate.
The report further claims that the two argued after a top Treasury aide requested direct access to the Mythos model without going through the standard interagency review process. In April, following complaints from the financial industry about multiple government offices bombarding companies with information requests, Bessent issued a directive consolidating the Treasury Department's response to Mythos through his personal office.
Despite reports of internal fighting, the White House is publicly downplaying any divide. In a statement, White House spokesperson Liz Huston emphasized team coordination: "The President's team, including Secretary Bessent and Sean Cairncross, is working closely together to strengthen America's cyber and national security, protect critical infrastructure, and ensure the United States remains the global leader in AI innovation."
