Senate Intelligence Vice Chair Mark Warner has introduced new legislation intended to limit presidential appointments for the position of acting director of national intelligence (DNI). This move targets President Trump’s appointment process, particularly regarding his choice of Bill Pulte to temporarily head the intelligence community.

Trump’s decision to appoint Pulte, who continues to serve as the head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), bypassed the traditional Senate confirmation process for the role within the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI). Named the Do Not Interfere in our Intelligence Act, Warner’s proposal mandates that the principal deputy DNI, who is confirmed by the Senate, should become the temporary leader if the top position becomes vacant.

“Bill Pulte may be exactly who President Trump wants running the intelligence community, but that does not make him qualified for the job,” Warner stated. “The intelligence community should be led by experienced, Senate-confirmed professionals.”

Previously, former DNI Tulsi Gabbard announced her departure due to family health issues. Initially, Trump nominated her principal deputy, Aaron Lukas, to take over on an interim basis but later switched to Pulte. The law permits Pulte to serve in an acting capacity for only 210 days, during which time concerns arose over his lack of national security experience.

Pulte’s past actions at FHFA, including referring cases to the Justice Department against Trump critics, heightened apprehensions. This sparked Democrat calls for Lukas’s reinstatement and threats to withhold support for renewing key intelligence powers.

As Congress struggled to renew foreign surveillance powers, Trump nominated U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton for the DNI role. Nonetheless, Clayton’s confirmation process was abruptly halted to prevent Pulte from assuming the acting DNI position.

Warner’s bill stipulates that if the principal deputy DNI role is empty, the president must choose from other key figures confirmed by the Senate. These include the heads of the National Counterterrorism Center, National Counterintelligence and Security Center, or other high-ranking ODNI officials. Additional options, if these positions are also vacant, include leaders from the CIA, Department of Homeland Security, and National Security Agency.