Sen. Mitch McConnell said he will not support any nominee for director of national intelligence who does not meet the role’s statutory experience requirements.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Sen. Mitch McConnell warned Wednesday that he will not vote to confirm any nominee for director of national intelligence who lacks the national security experience required for the post, a statement that comes as the Trump administration faces questions over its choice of Bill Pulte as acting director.
Pulte, who currently serves as director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, was tapped by President Donald Trump to serve as acting director of national intelligence. The role does not require Senate confirmation when filled on an acting basis, but a permanent nominee would need approval from the chamber.
Several Republican senators have raised concerns about whether Pulte has the qualifications needed to lead the intelligence community.
McConnell did not mention Pulte by name, but his statement appeared to signal that any formal nomination could face resistance if the nominee does not satisfy the experience standard attached to the office.
“Very few Senate-confirmable positions come with statutory eligibility requirements. There are good reasons why the Director of National Intelligence is one of them,” McConnell said. “Anyone performing this role of such immense public trust must have the extensive national security experience required by statute, and no nominee who falls short of this requirement will earn my vote.”
The Kentucky Republican has previously opposed Trump administration intelligence nominees over qualification concerns. McConnell was the only Republican senator to vote against Tulsi Gabbard’s nomination last year, saying her “command of relevant policy falls short of the requirements” needed for the position, according to The Hill.
Gabbard announced last month that she would step down at the end of June to support her husband, who has been diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer.
The warning from McConnell adds pressure on the White House as it considers whether to nominate Pulte or another candidate for the permanent DNI role. The position oversees the nation’s intelligence agencies and is one of the few Senate-confirmed offices with explicit statutory eligibility requirements.
McConnell’s statement makes clear that at least one senior Republican senator will evaluate any nominee through that legal standard, not only through party loyalty or administration preference.
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