President Donald Trump clarified Thursday that Bill Pulte's role as acting Director of National Intelligence will remain temporary, undercutting speculation about a permanent appointment just two days after the announcement. Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump told reporters the position was never intended to be anything more than interim.
"It's an acting position. It's not permanent," Trump said. "I don't think he'd want to be permanent."
The statement came amid sharp criticism from Republican senators who questioned Pulte's fitness for the job. Several GOP members have already signaled they would block any attempt to confirm him permanently, citing his thin resume in national security and intelligence matters.
Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina seized on a reported incident involving Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent during a Wednesday hearing. Tillis asked Bessent directly about a past altercation with Pulte. "Did you actually tell Pulte you were going to punch him in the face?" Bessent corrected the characterization, saying he had used different language. "No, sir, I actually said it was going to kick his ass," Bessent replied. Tillis appeared satisfied. "Good. OK. Good. I share the emotion. Thank you," he said, before announcing his opposition to any permanent nomination.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio also distanced himself from Pulte at his confirmation hearing. When asked if he was familiar with Pulte's work in the intelligence community, Rubio answered simply: "No."
Former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell issued a formal statement outlining his opposition. McConnell emphasized that the DNI role carries statutory requirements for national security experience that he believes Pulte lacks. "Anyone performing this role of such immense public trust must have the extensive national security experience required by statute, and no nominee who falls short of this requirement will earn my vote," McConnell said.
Republicans control the Senate 53-47, meaning they can afford to lose just a handful of votes on any confirmation. The early resistance from multiple GOP senators suggested Pulte would face an uphill battle if Trump decided to pursue permanent confirmation.
Pulte, a Trump loyalist, has served as director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, where he used his position to launch investigations into figures Trump viewed as political opponents. During his time as acting DNI, Trump suggested Pulte might uncover information about what the president calls rigged elections.
The president's comment raised questions about how the agency would operate under Pulte's leadership. As spy chief, the director of national intelligence is statutorily prohibited from engaging in domestic law enforcement matters. Trump's predecessor in the role, Tulsi Gabbard, faced criticism for her presence at an FBI raid at an elections office in Georgia while serving as DNI, despite the same legal restrictions. Gabbard later defended her involvement by saying Trump had requested she be there.
Author Sarah Mitchell: "Trump boxing out Pulte from a permanent appointment sidesteps a confirmation fight he likely couldn't win, but leaves the real question unanswered: what exactly will an acting DNI do during an investigation into the very elections that brought Trump back to office?"
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