President Donald Trump said Pulte may declassify records at his discretion while temporarily leading the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he has authorized acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte to declassify materials from the intelligence office while Pulte temporarily holds the position.
Pulte is serving as acting DNI while the Senate considers Trump’s nominee for the permanent role. Former Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard stepped down after her husband’s cancer diagnosis, and Trump has nominated former Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Jay Clayton to succeed her.
Trump told reporters that Pulte has broad authority to move quickly on declassification decisions during his temporary tenure.
“While he’s there I said ‘you can declassify whatever you want!” Trump told reporters. “Bill Pulte is a very talented guy, but he’s just there temporarily.”
“I think Bill will declassify,” Trump added.
Pulte also currently leads the Federal Housing Finance Agency.
His appointment to the intelligence role has drawn criticism from Democrats, who have raised concerns that Trump could use the DNI office against political opponents.
Pulte previously sent criminal referrals to the Justice Department involving top Trump political opponents over alleged mortgage fraud.
Trump’s remarks indicate that Pulte may play an active role in releasing intelligence-related materials before a permanent DNI is confirmed by the Senate.
Original article
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