Democratic lawmakers launched a blistering attack Tuesday on President Trump's decision to install Bill Pulte, the head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), as the acting director of national intelligence. The appointment, which bypasses Senate confirmation, has drawn sharp criticism from senior Democrats who warn it threatens to politicize the nation's intelligence apparatus.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) took to social media to denounce Pulte, calling him a “partisan thug with no experience in intelligence.” Schumer added, “He is another unqualified Trump appointee that will make our country less safe. And you won’t hear a word from the Republicans who claim to care about national security.”
Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.), the ranking member on the House Intelligence Committee, went further, arguing that Pulte's lack of qualifications stands out even by the standards of this administration. “He has no relevant experience and his sole qualification is unconditional devotion to Donald Trump,” Himes wrote online. He stressed the need for Pulte to undergo a full security clearance process before entering the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI).
Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), vice chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, issued a lengthy statement accusing Trump of prioritizing political loyalty over national security. “Rather than selecting a respected national security professional capable of delivering independent judgments, the president has chosen an official who has demonstrated not just willingness but eagerness to use the authorities of government to pursue political retribution,” Warner said. He warned that such a move could lead to the politicization of intelligence, the suppression of inconvenient facts, and increased vulnerability to terrorist attacks.
The appointment also triggered a fierce response from Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), a frequent Trump critic whom Pulte has accused of mortgage fraud—allegations that have not resulted in any conviction. Schiff asserted on X that Americans would not be safe with Pulte at the helm of the ODNI. “At a time when the U.S. is at war and the threats to national security loom large, we need a Director of National Intelligence who is knowledgeable, experienced, and respected. Bill Pulte is none of these things,” Schiff wrote.
Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), ranking member of the Senate Banking Committee, slammed Pulte for being “rewarded with a job he has no business doing” after he referred several of Trump's political adversaries—including Schiff, Federal Reserve board member Lisa Cook, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and former Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.)—for prosecution on unsubstantiated mortgage fraud claims.
Trump defended the move by citing Pulte's management of “the most sensitive matters in America” and confirmed that Pulte would retain his roles at the FHFA, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac. The president tapped Pulte to replace Tulsi Gabbard, who resigned from the ODNI last month.
Even some Republicans expressed reservations. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) told reporters, “Well, we don’t need a weaponized DNI, we need professionals there.” He added that if Trump intends to nominate Pulte permanently, “he’s got, as you all know, a lengthy road ahead of him.”
The controversy comes amid broader tensions over Trump's national security appointments and his approach to intelligence. For more on related political developments, see our coverage of Trump's DNI shift and primary races and the initial announcement of Pulte's appointment.
