Editorial Board

America Needs to Be Strong. Why Weaken Its Banks?

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has picked the worst possible moment to consider loosening a crucial financial system safeguard.

April 29, 2025 at 10:00 AM UTC

By The Editorial Board

The Editorial Board publishes the views of the editors across a range of national and global affairs.

Not reassuring.
Photographer: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

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Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has a plan to prop up a government-bond market destabilized by Washington’s chaotic economic policies: Let banks load up on federal debt.

This would be a questionable idea in any environment. At a time when America’s reliability is in doubt, it’s irresponsible.