politics
Congress questions Bill Pulte's qualifications to be intelligence chief
Senate lawmakers from both parties were blindsided by President Donald Trump’s decision to tap Bill Pulte as the acting director of national intelligence on Tuesday and are questioning his qualifications for the post.
TL;DR
- Senate lawmakers were blindsided by President Trump's decision to appoint Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence.
- Several senators questioned Pulte's qualifications, noting his lack of intelligence or national security experience.
- Pulte's background is in real estate and private equity; he currently heads the Federal Housing Finance Agency and Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac.
- Concerns were raised that Pulte's appointment might politicize the nonpartisan role of intelligence director.
- Federal law requires nominees for the director of national intelligence position to have extensive national security expertise.