(AFP) – President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he has directed his contentious pick for director of national intelligence to cut the size of his agency when he takes office on an acting basis this month. In a social post, Trump said that he had told Bill Pulte, who will start as acting director of national intelligence on June 19, “to execute the immediate and needed downsizing of the office, reverting staff to their home agencies.”
The appointment of Pulte, a Trump loyalist with no background in intelligence, has drawn ire from legislators. The role was previously held by former congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, herself a controversial pick for the job, but she resigned last month to care for her sick husband. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence was established after the 9/11 attacks on the United States to coordinate the activities of US intelligence agencies.
Trump also urged Congress to pass a short-term extension of a surveillance authority which allows US intelligence agencies to collect communications of foreign targets overseas. Last week, US senators blocked legislation for a three-year renewal of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) which is set to expire Friday, after Democrats objected to Pulte’s appointment amid concern over how he would use the powers of the office.
Democrats accuse the 38-year-old Pulte of weaponizing the Federal Housing Finance Agency, which he oversees, to support Trump’s campaign of revenge against perceived political opponents. Among those targeted include Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and Democratic Senator Adam Schiff, all of whom had investigations against them stemming from mortgage records.
Trump asserted that FISA is important for keeping Americans safe during the football World Cup and upcoming celebrations for the 250th anniversary of US independence. Trump indicated that Pulte’s appointment as intelligence director is temporary and that he is seeking a nominee to take the position on a permanent basis, which requires Senate confirmation.
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