President Donald Trump announced Thursday that Bill Pulte, who leads the Federal Housing Finance Agency, will serve as the acting Director of National Intelligence on an acting basis. Pulte, who was tapped to replace Tulsi Gabbard, will not take up the position permanently.
Trump stated that he is currently interviewing permanent candidates for the position. When asked if Pulte possesses the necessary national security experience for the job, the president said he does because he is "smart."
The appointment has already triggered pushback from some Republican and Democratic senators. The president's comments are expected to roil members of Congress who have criticized Pulte's appointment to the acting role.
Additionally, President Trump suggested that the Office of the Director of National Intelligence should be much smaller. He further indicated that he may even want to terminate the office altogether.