Trump said Bill Pulte will become acting director of national intelligence on June 19 and will oversee an immediate downsizing of the office, as Congress battles over FISA renewal.
Trump said on June 10 that Bill Pulte will take over as acting director of national intelligence on June 19 and will be tasked with an immediate downsizing of the office.
In a post reported by live coverage, Trump said he wants Pulte to return staff to their home agencies and move quickly on the restructuring. He also said he is looking for a permanent ODNI nominee with national security experience.
The announcement adds a new political fight around the intelligence community just as Congress is struggling over FISA renewal. Trump asked lawmakers for a short-term extension of the surveillance law to give him time to name a permanent replacement.
The move drew bipartisan criticism, with opponents questioning both the staffing changes and Pulte’s lack of national security experience.
The timing is also notable because the appointment date Trump described, June 19, differs from earlier reporting that had placed Tulsi Gabbard’s resignation later in the month.
What happens next
The immediate question is whether the appointment proceeds as announced on June 19 and whether lawmakers accept a short-term FISA extension. The White House and ODNI have not, based on the reporting available, issued a formal statement beyond Trump’s post.
Revision note
Initial automated publication.