Trump Administration Considers Permanent Intelligence Director as Pulte's Interim Role Draws Bipartisan Criticism
President Trump has not committed to naming a permanent director of national intelligence, despite bipartisan objections to his interim choice of Bill Pulte, a housing regulator with limited intelligence experience. Several Republican and Democratic leaders are urging Trump to make a permanent appointment, with names like Rep. Elise Stefanik, Michael Ellis, and Rep. Rick Crawford being floated as potential candidates. The delay is holding up Democratic votes needed to extend critical Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act provisions before they expire.
Trump announced that Bill Pulte, his top housing regulator, would serve as acting director of national intelligence, sparking significant bipartisan pushback over his lack of experience in the intelligence community. While Trump suggested the role would be temporary, he has not committed to naming a permanent replacement, and Pulte—who has a reputation for self-advocacy and support from MAGA allies—could potentially remain in the position. Behind-the-scenes lobbying has begun among conventional candidates including Rep. Elise Stefanik, CIA Deputy Director Michael Ellis, House Intelligence Chair Rep. Rick Crawford, Vice President JD Vance's national security adviser Cliff Sims, and former Rep. Jason Chaffetz. Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Speaker Mike Johnson have both indicated that Trump is interviewing candidates and may be nearing a decision, though they have emphasized the need for speed. Democrats have withheld votes on extending key surveillance powers until a more conventional intelligence chief is named, creating pressure on the administration to act before critical provisions expire on Friday.
What different sources said
- SemaforCenter
Jockeying starts for a Trump intelligence job that may be taken
Related
Maine Governor's Race Heads to Ranked-Choice Runoff
Maine's gubernatorial election is heading to a ranked-choice voting runoff, with state election officials set to confirm the winner through a multi-round elimination process. Ranked-choice voting is used in Maine when no candidate wins an outright majority in the general election. The outcome will be determined in the coming weeks as officials tabulate voter preferences across multiple rounds.
ACT Public Schools to Close as Teachers Strike Over Pay and Working Conditions
All ACT public schools will close on Thursday, June 11, due to a full-day strike by teachers and school staff over unresolved pay negotiations. This marks the second strike action in 15 years, following a two-hour stoppage in May, with core disputes centered on staffing levels, workloads, and class sizes. The closure affects thousands of families and students across the territory as negotiations between the Education Directorate and the Australian Education Union remain at an impasse.
Telangana Roads and Buildings Engineer-in-Chief Arrested in Disproportionate Assets Case
Mohan Naik Jarupla, Engineer-in-Chief of Telangana's Roads and Buildings Department, was arrested by the Anti-Corruption Bureau on charges of accumulating assets beyond his known income sources. Searches across 16 locations uncovered properties, cash, gold, and other valuables officially valued at approximately Rs 17.95 crore, with actual market value potentially exceeding Rs 100 crore. The case highlights alleged corruption during his government service and remains under investigation.