Senate Leader Thune Questions Bill Pulte’s Acting DNI Appointment

President Donald Trump named Bill Pulte, the Federal Housing Finance Agency chief, as acting director of national intelligence after Tulsi Gabbard announced her departure. Senate Majority Leader John Thune warned that a permanent nomination would face a “lengthy road” and emphasized the need for a professional, non‑politicized intelligence head.

Other Republican senators, including Tom Cotton and Thom Tillis, expressed unease, while Democrats warned the appointment could jeopardize bipartisan support for the reauthorization of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). Critics note Pulte’s lack of intelligence experience, raising concerns about his suitability to lead the U.S. intelligence community.