President Donald Trump announced on Friday his intention for the new acting director of national intelligence, Bill Pulte, to further reduce the size of the office. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump remarked that the office’s expansion over the years has been excessive. He expressed his support for Pulte reducing its size.
“He’ll do a very good job,” Trump stated to reporters while traveling to an agriculture event in Wisconsin. He showed confidence in Pulte’s ability to monitor the situation closely.
Bill Pulte, known for his role as Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, lacks national security experience, raising questions about his suitability for the intelligence position. Nevertheless, Trump clarified he has instructed Pulte to begin removing employees from the office. Trump believes that the office retains staff from previous Democratic administrations who are no longer necessary.
In his conversation with The Wall Street Journal, Trump mentioned he does not intend to formally nominate Pulte. Instead, Pulte’s temporary role is to initiate changes before a permanent director is appointed. Trump hopes Pulte will lay the groundwork for the incoming director to continue reducing the agency’s size.
Pulte’s appointment received bipartisan opposition in the Senate. This resistance has complicated the renewal of a vital national security surveillance program. Notably, Democrats question Pulte’s ability to manage the 18 intelligence agencies within his purview.
As Trump considers candidates for the permanent director role, he mentioned he has identified five individuals as potential successors. He described them as highly respected without naming any.
Pulte follows Tulsi Gabbard, who had already begun cutting the office’s resources. In August, the Trump administration announced a significant budget reduction for the office, exceeding $700 million annually. Gabbard had described the office as “bloated and inefficient,” and planned a 40% workforce reduction. She resigned last month due to her husband’s health condition.
The search for a permanent director continues as Trump evaluates potential candidates.