WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that Bill Pulte, the current head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, will become acting Director of National Intelligence (DNI) when Tulsi Gabbard steps down at the end of June for personal reasons.
However, Pulte’s lack of intelligence experience is prompting pushback among lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
As acting Director of National Intelligence, Bill Pulte will coordinate the nation’s 18 intelligence agencies and deliver the president’s daily intelligence briefing.
Pulte currently leads the Federal Housing Finance Agency and oversees mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. A close ally of the president, Pulte has made headlines for pushing investigations into several prominent Trump critics.
The pick is already drawing scrutiny.
“Pulte is unqualified, full stop,” said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y. on Wednesday.
Democrats like Gillibrand argue Pulte’s lack of experience is dangerous and even violates the law.
“The law requires that this person have extensive experience in intelligence,” said Gillibrand. “I don’t see any aspect of his training, education or life experience that has anything to do with national security or intelligence.”
Some Republicans on Capitol Hill are also raising concerns about his qualifications and experience, or lack thereof.
“I made it clear I’m not going to support Pulte for DNI,” said Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., who has been increasingly at odds with President Trump, especially after deciding he would not seek reelection. “He lost me when he went after Powell,” Tillis added, referring to Pulte’s criticism of former Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.
Other Republicans, like Rep. Nick Langworthy, R-N.Y., say it’s up to the president to choose who he believes is the best fit for the job.
“Bill Pulte has the confidence of the president. He’s got experience running a big agency, and the national intelligence apparatus is in place that was there under the last director,” Langworthy said.
President Trump said Pulte will continue leading the Housing Finance Agency while serving as acting until a permanent DNI replacement is selected.
If the president chooses to keep Pulte in the role and nominates him as Tulsi Gabbard’s permanent replacement, Pulte would likely face an uphill confirmation battle in the Republican-controlled Senate.
Gabbard recently announced she would be stepping down from the role for personal reasons, including to spend time with her husband who is fighting bone cancer. June 30 is expected to be Gabbard’s last day serving as DNI.
