WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 02: Director of the National Economic Council Kevin Hassett speaks to reporters outside the West Wing of the White House on June 2, 2026 in Washington, DC. Hassett spoke on various topics including President Trump’s nomination of Bill Pulte to be the acting director of National Intelligence. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats and Republicans say President Donald Trump’s pick for director of national intelligence seems unqualified. Democrats say federal housing finance director Bill Pulte lacks national security experience. Republican Sens. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and John Cornyn of Texas are leaving the chamber after this year’s elections and say Pulte lacks qualifications to be DNI. The Republican president says Pulte will remain director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency and chair of mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac while filling in for Tulsi Gabbard, who resigned last month. Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren says Pulte has abused his authority as housing finance director and asks, “What could go wrong?”
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