Trump’s Pick to Lead US Intel Community Did Not Have a Security Clearance Before He Was Tapped for the Job: CNN
The background check began after Trump named Pulte, and sources say he may get classified access before taking the post next month.
- On Tuesday, President Donald Trump named Federal Housing Finance Agency director Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence, despite Pulte lacking any security clearance to oversee the 18 U.S. intelligence agencies.
- The office Pulte is expected to lead initiated a background investigation only on Thursday, days after the announcement. Sources confirmed there is no evidence he previously maintained even the lowest form of security clearance.
- Senate Majority Leader John Thune stated, "We don't need a weaponized DNI," while former intelligence official Beth Sanner warned the CIA might refuse to share information with someone lacking security background.
- Early Friday, Senate Democrats and seven Senate Republicans blocked a bill reauthorizing the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act's Section 702, citing concerns over Pulte's appointment while vetting continues.
- Trump dismissed experience concerns Thursday, telling reporters, "I wasn't greatly experienced in national security." Trump could bypass standard vetting to grant Pulte classified access before he formally assumes the acting DNI role next month.
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CNN: New Spy Chief Never Had Any Security Clearance
CNN reports: Before he was announced as President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the US intelligence community, Bill Pulte did not have a security clearance granting him access to highly-classified information – meaning he lacked what has long been considered a basic prerequisite for the job he will soon occupy. On Thursday, days after Trump’s announcement that Pulte would serve as acting director of national intelligence, the office he is expected…
Shock as Trump's spy chief found to lack any security clearance
President Donald Trump's pick to lead the entire U.S. intelligence community has never held a security clearance of any kind before being handed the job, CNN reported Thursday — and the vetting process wasn't even initiated until days after the announcement.Bill Pulte, a wealthy housing finance offi...
Concerns Grow Over Trump’s Choice To Lead Intelligence Community
Bill Pulte, President Donald Trump’s choice to serve as acting Director of National Intelligence, did not hold a security clearance before being selected for the position, according to CNN, citing sources familiar with the matter. The report said the Office of the Director of National Intelligence only began the formal clearance process this week by requesting a background investigation. Sources told CNN there is no evidence Pulte previously hel…
Trump’s intel choice had no intel experience. He didn’t even have security clearance
Before he was announced as President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the US intelligence community, Bill Pulte did not have a security clearance granting him access to highly-classified information – meaning he lacked what has long been considered a basic prerequisite for the job he will soon occupy, according to three sources familiar with the matter.
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