President Donald Trump's controversial decision to name top housing regulator Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence after Tulsi Gabbard departed the role has drawn both doubt and cheers from members of the Republican Party.
"Well, I think it's a funny pick, to say the least. Of course, here we are in the banking room, where we actually deal with housing and urban affairs issues," Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) said on Wednesday's airing of CNBC's "Squawk Box." "It seems like a funny pick. It's interim for now, I guess. We'll see. But I think it's an odd pick."
Pulte, a Trump loyalist whose family has a homebuilding empire, will continue in his role as director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency alongside his new position, according to the announcement by the president. While it's unclear what experience Pulte has in national security, Trump defended his pick as having "deep experience managing the most sensitive matters in America, the safety and soundness of the Markets, and over 10 Trillion Dollars at Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac, a substantial increase from where it was just 12 months ago."
Pulte, who once called for criminal investigations into fraud claims against a number of Trump's foes, has drawn doubt about his new appointment from members of the president's party. Cramer said Tuesday he's unsure how long Pulte could stay in the intelligence position, which has a time limit set by law unless he's confirmed by the Senate for the actual role. "A full confirmation of him would, I'd think in this environment, would be pretty unlikely, but I don't know him well enough to know whether he has the credentials to do the job. But, that's a problem," Cramer said.
Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) said, per The Hill, "The Senate doesn't have any role to play in terms of confirming acting officials, but I see no evidence of any qualifications for that job." Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) also cast doubt, stating that Pulte is "not qualified, but I don't know anything about him other than that," according to the outlet.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) also told reporters Tuesday, "We don't need a weaponized DNI. We need professionals there." "I'm trying to get more information about the current state of their thinking about that position," Thune said. "And, again, if he's somebody they want in that position permanently, he's got, as you all know, a lengthy road ahead of him."
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) did not give a clear answer as to how he feels about the president's pick, saying, "The president obviously has the prerogative and the choice on who he appoints to these positions." He did, however, attack Democrats' criticism of Pulte, telling reporters on Wednesday that the party "wouldn't trust Jesus" and "are not willing to do anything, even the most simple, basic, important responsibility to keep the American people safe because they want to make life hard for the president."
But some who are loyal to Trump are cheering on the decision. Steve Bannon told Politico, "It's a middle finger to the Senate. A fuck you to the Deep State." "The White House staff hates him because they can't control him," Bannon said. Sen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) told followers on X that Pulte "will put the American people first" as acting intelligence director. "He is a friend, ally, and patriot who will fight to drain the Swamp of our intel community, and keep America safe," the senator added.
Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) said he is "ALL FOR Bill Pulte as the Acting Director of National Intelligence." "He has done an excellent job in his role as Director of Federal Housing, and I've worked closely with him to get the WOKE NONSENSE out of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac," Tuberville wrote. "Bill is an America First PATRIOT, and I am confident he is the right man to drain the SWAMP in our intel community." Longtime Trump ally Roger Stone and Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) also celebrated the news.
