McConnell Warns About Pulte’s Lack of Experience to Serve as Director of National Intelligence
Republican senators said Pulte lacked the intelligence expertise expected for the post, citing a 2004 law that calls for extensive national security experience.
- On Wednesday, President Donald Trump named Federal Housing Finance Agency director Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence, drawing immediate criticism from lawmakers over his lack of national security experience.
- The 2004 law establishing the DNI position requires nominees to possess extensive national security expertise, yet Trump has consistently prioritized loyalty over traditional experience when selecting Cabinet officials.
- Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Senate Intelligence Committee Chair Tom Cotton declined to vouch for Pulte's experience on Tuesday, while Sen. John Cornyn of Texas said he had "no evidence" the nominee was qualified.
- Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Bill Cassidy expressed concern about Pulte's selection, with Cassidy citing his "absence of apparent qualifications" and background in housing rather than national security.
- Pulte can serve in an acting capacity for about 200 days, but any permanent nomination would require Senate confirmation based on statutory expertise requirements, setting the stage for a future confirmation battle.
21 Articles
21 Articles
GOP Rep: It's Good That The New Spy Chief Has No Experience Since Experienced Ones Went After Trump
“Let me put a little bit of historic context here. The argument is that he doesn’t have national security experience. Well, take a look at some of the people that did have national security experience. “People like John Brennan and James Clapper. James Clapper was the DNI under Obama. He helped orchestrate the Russia collusion hoax against President Trump. That’s what I see experience gets you. “If that’s all you’re worried about, then maybe you…
GOP backlash grows over Trump pick for acting spy chief | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
WASHINGTON >> Two of President Donald Trump’s cabinet members on Wednesday distanced themselves from his pick of loyalist Bill Pulte to serve as acting spy chief, as Republican lawmakers criticized his lack of national security experience.
Mike Pence questions legality of Trump intel pick
Former Vice President Mike Pence weighed in on the latest Cabinet pick by President Donald Trump, suggesting there will be “issues” around the Director of National Intelligence nomination. Pence made a stop at CNN while hawking his book, “What Conservatives Believe,” where he was asked by host Kate Bolduan for his take on his former boss’s nomination of Bill Pulte to replace outgoing Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. Pence claimed…
The Press of Atlantic City
Acting spy chief draws a chilly GOP reception
WASHINGTON — Two of President Donald Trump's Cabinet members distanced themselves Wednesday from his pick of loyalist Bill Pulte to serve as acting U.S. spy chief, as Republican lawmakers criticized his lack of national security experience.
Leon Panetta on Trump's controversial pick for acting national intelligence director
NPR's Leila Fadel speaks with former Defense Secretary and CIA Director Leon Panetta about President Trump's controversial appointment of Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence.
Is Bill Pulte Trump’s least-experienced Cabinet pick? He’s got lots of competition.
President Donald Trump appears to have chosen one of his diciest Cabinet picks yet, with the elevation of 38-year-old Federal Housing Finance Agency director Bill Pulte to the job of acting director of national intelligence.
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