Trump Names Pulte Acting Intelligence Director After Gabbard Resigns, Pauses Clayton Nomination

President Donald Trump selected Bill Pulte to serve as acting director of National Intelligence after Tulsi Gabbard announced her resignation. Pulte arrived at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence one day earlier than expected and requested a list of every employee to determine whether to fire them, according to two sources who spoke to CNN.

Pulte plans to cut hundreds of jobs within the office, the same sources said.

He met with lawyers and staff and asked whether he could bring the President’s Daily Brief home, whether his security clearance would be “top-secret,” and whether he would have access to a government plane. , Florida, and Chicago, and asked whether he could have a protective detail before starting the position. Prior to the appointment, Pulte lacked a security clearance.

He previously served as head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, and President Trump stated that Pulte will remain director of that agency. Gabbard announced she would resign next month after her husband’s cancer diagnosis. Pulte called Gabbard and said he was taking over the job.

The two decided she would leave her post on June 19. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence oversees 18 intelligence agencies.

U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, to the full-time director position, but canceled the confirmation hearing on Wednesday. Trump wanted to ensure confirmation of Jamie McDonald to replace Clayton would receive a blue slip from home-state senators.