President Donald Trump said Bill Pulte will temporarily lead the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and move staff back to their home agencies as Congress weighs a short-term FISA extension.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he has ordered incoming acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte to immediately reduce the size of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and return personnel to their original agencies.
Trump announced the directive in a social media post, saying Pulte will assume the acting DNI role on June 19. The president said the move is intended to shrink the intelligence office while he searches for a permanent nominee with national security experience.
Trump said he had asked Pulte “to execute the immediate and needed downsizing of the office, reverting staff to their home agencies.”
Pulte, a Trump loyalist who currently oversees the Federal Housing Finance Agency, has no background in intelligence. His appointment has drawn criticism from lawmakers, particularly Democrats, who have raised concerns about placing him in charge of the office even on a temporary basis.
The intelligence post was previously held by former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who resigned last month to care for her sick husband. Gabbard had also been a contentious choice for the role.
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence was created after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to coordinate the work of U.S. intelligence agencies.
Trump’s announcement comes as Congress faces a deadline over Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, a surveillance authority that allows U.S. intelligence agencies to collect communications of foreign targets overseas. The authority is set to expire Friday.
Trump urged lawmakers to approve a short-term extension, arguing that the surveillance power is needed to protect Americans during the football World Cup and upcoming celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence.
Last week, senators blocked legislation that would have renewed Section 702 for three years. Democrats objected in part because of Pulte’s appointment and concerns over how he might use the powers of the intelligence office.
Democrats have also accused Pulte of using the Federal Housing Finance Agency to aid Trump’s campaign against perceived political opponents. Those targeted have included Federal Reserve Gov. Lisa Cook, New York Attorney General Letitia James and Democratic Sen. Adam Schiff, all of whom faced investigations tied to mortgage records.
Trump indicated that Pulte’s appointment is temporary. A permanent director of national intelligence must be nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate.
The president said he is seeking a longer-term nominee while directing Pulte to begin restructuring the intelligence office as soon as he takes over.
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