Trump stresses Pulte ‘not going to be permanent’ intelligence chief

President Trump said Thursday that his choice to serve as director of national intelligence, Bill Pulte, would only be a temporary selection amid bipartisan controversy over the pick.

Trump said Pulte, who’s currently the head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, is “very smart” and has “high integrity,” when asked by reporters in the Oval Office why he felt Pulte was the best choice.

“It’s an acting position, it’s not a permanent — he’s not going to be permanent because, you know, I don’t think he’d want to be permanent,” Trump said.

The president added that his team is “interviewing” people for the role and Pulte is “somebody just to take it over for a little while.”

When asked whether he felt Pulte had the experience for the job, Trump said yes.

“I think he does, actually, because he’s smart … I wasn’t greatly experienced in national security, and I think I’ve done a really great job with it,” he said.

“Again, it’s short-term, but he may be very effective for a short period of time.”

Trump announced Tuesday that he was tapping Pulte for the role, replacing Tulsi Gabbard, who resigned from the office last month.

He said on Truth Social that Pulte has “deep experience managing the most sensitive matters in America, the safety and soundness of the Markets, and over 10 Trillion Dollars at Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac.”

The move quickly sparked protest from Democrats and some Republicans who pointed out Pulte’s lack of national security or intelligence background.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) suggested earlier this week that Pulte would not have an easy job getting confirmed by the Senate if it were to be a permanent position.

“Well, we don’t need a weaponized DNI; we need professionals there,” Thune told reporters.

“So, again, I’ve just heard about it. I’ll try and get more information about the current state of their thinking about that position, and again, if he’s somebody they want in that position permanently, he’s got, as you all know, a lengthy road ahead of him,” he said.

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