Trump Has a Bill Pulte Problem
The acting director of national intelligence appears to be legally ineligible for the job.
TL;DR
- Bill Pulte is acting Director of National Intelligence but may be legally ineligible for the role.
- The law states the Principal Deputy Director, Aaron Lukas, 'shall' act as DNI when the position is vacant.
- Pulte, a Trump loyalist, lacks the required national-security experience and is currently director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency.
- Pulte has begun firing senior personnel, including William Ruger, and is expected to make further changes.
- Legal experts suggest Pulte lacks the authority to fire individuals if his appointment is illegal.
- There is speculation Pulte might make structural changes, such as moving the National Counterterrorism Center.
- Pulte's predecessor, Tulsi Gabbard, also aimed to reduce staff significantly.
- The administration has not explained Pulte's legal authority, and the ODNI did not respond to requests for comment.
- Pulte faces opposition and is unlikely to be confirmed as the permanent director.
- Senator Tom Cotton supports downsizing the ODNI.
- Trump has expressed expectations that Pulte will investigate election fraud claims.
- Gabbard previously worked with election deniers on a review of voting machines in Puerto Rico.
- Trump may also expect Pulte to selectively release classified documents.
- Pulte has a history of making criminal referrals based on financial document access.
- The administration previously argued for acting appointments under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act.
- Jay Clayton is a potentially qualified permanent nominee, but his confirmation is stalled due to Trump's demands.
- Aaron Lukas is described as a competent career intelligence officer who has been handling ODNI's day-to-day activities.
- The need for ODNI reform is supported across parties, with some even suggesting its abolition.