GOP Sen. Tillis slams Trump intelligence pick Pulte: 'Don't think he has a prayer'
CNBC • • general
Key Points:
- Republican Sen. Thom Tillis criticized President Trump's pick, Bill Pulte, to lead the U.S. intelligence community, calling him an "incendiary attack dog" and doubting his chances of Senate confirmation.
- Tillis suggested the Trump administration might keep Pulte as acting director of national intelligence (DNI) without seeking full Senate approval.
- Bill Pulte, currently head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), has no known intelligence experience and is seen as a Trump loyalist who has targeted the president's political opponents.
- Pulte's tenure at FHFA involved allegations against figures like Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook and New York Attorney General Letitia James related to mortgage issues.
- Trump announced Pulte will serve as acting DNI while maintaining his roles as FHFA director and chairman of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.