Thune on Pulte pick: ‘We don’t need a weaponized’ director of national intelligence
Senate Republicans questioned whether the Federal Housing Finance Agency chief has the national security experience needed to oversee 18 intelligence agencies.
- On Tuesday, President Donald Trump announced Bill Pulte, head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, would serve as acting director of national intelligence, replacing Tulsi Gabbard who resigned last month.
- Lawmakers and advocacy groups criticized the selection, warning against a 'weaponized' DNI given Pulte's lack of national security experience and history of pursuing criminal referrals against political opponents including New York Attorney General Letitia James.
- Senate Majority Leader John Thune expressed skepticism, stating, "We don't need a weaponized DNI. We need professionals there," while Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis questioned Pulte's qualifications.
- Senator Mark Warner warned the White House prioritizes a "narrative it wants" over objective intelligence, while a permanent appointment would require a lengthy Senate confirmation process.
- Public Citizen warned that placing Pulte in this role could position him to use the nation's "massive surveillance apparatus" to threaten political enemies as the U.S. manages conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine.
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McConnell warns he won't vote to confirm DNI nominee Pulte over lack of national security experience
McConnell did not specifically name Pulte in his statement but appeared to warn that the acting director might not get confirmed if Trump formally nominates him for the post. The Senate does not need to confirm an acting director.
der Standard AT
der Standard DEThe fact that the real estate manager has no intelligence skills does not bother the US president much – for him only absolute loyalty counts anyway
The White House is betting on “Little Trump” to shield the Executive’s external agenda in full friction with Republican sectors, despite its lack of track record in security and the doubts expressed in Congress and among advisers
How Pulte won Trump by being an attack dog
Housing finance guru Bill Pulte captured President Donald Trump‘s attention by referring the commander in chief’s political enemies to the Justice Department for criminal prosecution over allegations of mortgage fraud. But Pulte, a frequent flyer on Air Force One, has used his political savvy and Trump’s favor to leverage an otherwise lackluster role as Federal Housing Finance Agency director and chairman of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac into a Ca…
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