{"id":2609658,"date":"2026-06-02T15:25:01","date_gmt":"2026-06-02T19:25:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/congress-questions-bill-pultes-qualifications-to-be-intelligence-chief\/"},"modified":"2026-06-02T15:28:44","modified_gmt":"2026-06-02T19:28:44","slug":"congress-questions-bill-pultes-qualifications-to-be-intelligence-chief","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/congress-questions-bill-pultes-qualifications-to-be-intelligence-chief\/","title":{"rendered":"Congress questions Bill Pulte&#8217;s qualifications to be intelligence chief"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fcongress-questions-bill-pultes-qualifications-to-be-intelligence-chief%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2609658&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Senate lawmakers say they were caught off guard by President Donald Trump\u2019s decision to name Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence, questioning whether he has the experience and credentials needed for the role. Several senators-including John Cornyn and Susan Collins-said they knew little about Pulte\u2019s background, including whether he has intelligence or security-clearance experience.<\/p>\n<p>Supporters of the appointment point to Pulte\u2019s leadership background in housing and federal financial institutions, but critics argue the job demands strong national security experience.Senators also noted that pulte, unlike his predecessor Tulsi gabbard, does not appear to have military or national-security experience. Democrats such as Mark Warner argued it would be an insult to the intelligence community and raised concerns about politicization, citing Pulte\u2019s prior role at the FHFA, where he referred Democratic officials over mortgage-fraud allegations.<\/p>\n<p>Pulte is serving only in an acting capacity, and it remains unclear whether Trump will nominate him permanently. The director role requires extensive national security expertise under federal law, and Senate confirmation would be required, beginning with approval by the Senate Intelligence Committee.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Senate lawmakers from both parties were blindsided by President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\">Donald Trump<\/a>\u2019s decision to tap <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/bill-pulte\/\">Bill Pulte<\/a> as the acting director of national intelligence on Tuesday and are questioning his qualifications for the post. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The selection seemed to come as a surprise to lawmakers on Capitol Hill, as many senators said they knew nothing about the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/democrats-focus-on-16-trump-vp-picks-including-haley-greene-desantis\/\" title=\"Democrats are exploring 16 potential Trump VP candidates, such as Haley, Greene, and DeSantis\">acting intelligence chief<\/a>. <\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4590984\/watch-live-markwayne-mullin-testimony-senate-budget-request\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>WATCH LIVE: Markwayne Mullin testifies before Senate on budget request<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4591221\/rubio-cory-booker-argue-iran-stronger-position\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Rubio and Booker spar at committee hearing over whether Iran is in stronger position: \u2018No one is begging\u2019<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4590449\/senate-republicans-anti-weaponization-fund-assurance\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Senate Republicans want assurance anti-weaponization fund is dead for good<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI don\u2019t see any evidence of qualifications for that job, but I\u2019m willing to listen,\u201d said Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), who serves on the Senate Intelligence Committee and recently lost his primary to Trump-backed <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ken-paxton\/\">Ken Paxton<\/a>. <\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), a centrist who also sits on the panel, said she knew \u201cnothing about\u201d Pulte.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI don\u2019t know his background, whether he has any intelligence experience or a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/report-china-is-stealing-dna-of-u-s-citizens\/\" title=\"Report: China is Stealing DNA of U.S. Citizens\">security clearance<\/a>,\u201d said Collins, who is facing a tough reelection battle in November.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pulte is the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency and the chairman of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. He began his career in real estate and private equity. He will take over for Tulsi Gabbard, who stepped down last month.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWilliam has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-appoints-bill-pulte-to-be-acting-director-of-national-intelligence\/\" title=\"Trump appoints ... to be ... of ...\">deep experience managing<\/a> the most sensitive matters in America, the safety and soundness of the Markets, and over 10 Trillion Dollars at Fannie Mae\/Freddie Mac, a substantial increase from where it was just 12 months ago,\u201d Trump said in announcing the appointment on Tuesday. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The director of national intelligence produces the president\u2019s daily briefing and also oversees the 18 intelligence agencies within the federal government. Unlike Gabbard, Pulte is not a military veteran and does not appear to have worked in the <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >national security space<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe\u2019ll have to learn a little bit more, but I thought he was a surprising pick,\u201d Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) said. \u201cI know what he\u2019s been doing in the housing sector. I\u2019m not so familiar with why the president would have selected him.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR), the chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, did not comment on Pulte\u2019s qualifications.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), the panel\u2019s ranking member, said it was an insult to the intelligence community that Pulte does not have experience in the space. Warner also raised concerns that Pulte would politicize the position, given that he had referred several Democratic elected officials to the Justice Department for prosecution for mortgage fraud as head of the FHFA.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThat should be a neutral role,\u201d Warner told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>. \u201cIntel and the [director of national intelligence] specifically has been a nonpartisan role, and it\u2019s got to stay that way.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ), another member of the panel, told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> that Pulte was not the right person for the job long-term, given the pressing international issues facing the United States.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOur country\u2019s at war against Iran \u2014 right now, we\u2019ve got a war in Europe, we\u2019ve got problems all over the place, and the best guy you can find to be the director of national intelligence is a home builder who\u2019s the head of Fannie Mae,\u201d Kelly said. \u201cI mean, come on.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4590852\/what-to-know-bill-pulte-trump-pick-odni-chief\/\"><strong>WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT BILL PULTE, TRUMP\u2019S PICK TO BE ACTING ODNI CHIEF<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pulte is only the acting intelligence chief. It remains to be seen whether Trump will nominate him or someone else for the role in a permanent capacity. The position requires Senate confirmation, the first step of which would be approval by the Senate Intelligence Committee.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.law.cornell.edu\/uscode\/text\/50\/3023\">Federal law<\/a> requires anyone nominated to serve as director to \u201chave extensive national security expertise.\u201d\u00a0It is unclear if Pulte\u2019s acting capacity would qualify if Trump decides to make the appointment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Senators of both parties say Trump\u2019s Bill Pulte pick for acting intelligence chief took them by surprise<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4308,"featured_media":2609659,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AP26153488211226.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[80713,4402,80714,80715],"class_list":["post-2609658","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-bill-pulte-2","tag-congress","tag-intelligence-chief-2","tag-senate-hearings-2"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AP26153488211226.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2609658","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4308"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2609658"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2609658\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2609666,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2609658\/revisions\/2609666"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2609659"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2609658"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2609658"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2609658"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}