President Donald Trump announced plans to appoint Bill Pulte, the chair of Freddie Mac, as acting Director of National Intelligence. Pulte will take over following Tulsi Gabbard’s departure later in June.
Gabbard, who resigned due to her husband’s bone cancer diagnosis, leaves a vacancy Trump aims to fill with Pulte. With this temporary role, Pulte can operate without requiring Senate confirmation, serving for up to 210 days.
Trump seeks to reduce the size of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI). He believes the agency is unnecessarily large and wants Pulte to start streamlining personnel. “I’d like to see it smaller,” Trump told The Wall Street Journal.
Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Tom Cotton supports this move, claiming ODNI has expanded beyond its initial purpose. Established in 2004, ODNI coordinates the nation’s 18 intelligence agencies, growing significantly since its creation.
Despite some lawmakers’ concerns over Pulte’s lack of intelligence background, Trump insists his temporary status enables him to execute necessary changes. Former Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell expressed reservations, emphasizing the need for national security experience in this role.
President Trump hopes Pulte will reduce ODNI staff before a permanent director steps in, thus accomplishing much of the “hard work” in advance.