Trump presses on with plan to install Bill Pulte as acting intelligence chief
The Guardian • • nation
Key Points:
- President Donald Trump announced plans to appoint Bill Pulte, a political loyalist with no national security experience, as acting director of national intelligence, sparking bipartisan congressional backlash.
- The appointment has raised concerns about Pulte potentially using intelligence powers to target Trump's political enemies and threatens the reauthorization of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) section 702, which expires this week.
- Democrats, led by House leader Hakeem Jeffries, have condemned Pulte's nomination as unqualified and dangerous, vowing to block the renewal of the surveillance law if the appointment proceeds.
- Pulte currently heads a federal mortgage agency and has previously used his position to accuse political opponents of mortgage fraud, though these cases have not resulted in charges.
- Senate Republicans have urged the White House to nominate a full-time director for confirmation, while Trump insists Pulte will serve only temporarily, despite plans for him to assume the role earlier than the outgoing director's departure date.