June 17, 2026

Bill Pulte Begins Tenure as Acting DNI Amid Controversy and Job Cuts

Bill Pulte arrived early as acting Director of National Intelligence, reportedly seeking to fire hundreds of employees at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
Pulte's lack of prior intelligence experience and controversial actions have raised concerns among lawmakers about his suitability for the role.
President Trump directed Jay Clayton to skip his confirmation hearing, causing frustration among Senate Republicans and delaying the nomination process.

15 Sources

Trump DNI pick braces for Senate grilling as temporary stand-in fuels Dem pressure
Jun 17, 2026 at 10:00 AM · Fox News
Republicans want Trump spy nominee confirmed now but Democrats hesitate
Jun 17, 2026 at 10:04 AM · Reuters
Trump's DNI fight turns into Senate cliffhanger
Jun 17, 2026 at 2:36 PM · Axios
Senate moving forward with Clayton's confirmation hearing despite Trump's move to delay
Jun 17, 2026 at 3:37 PM · CBS News
Intelligence Officials Have Welcomed Pulte and Then Clayton
Jun 17, 2026 at 3:42 PM · NYT
GOP senator says Clayton DNI hearing still on despite Trump's push for cancellation
Jun 17, 2026 at 3:47 PM · ABC News
This law firm has deep ties to Trump. A partner is his pick to be Manhattan's top prosecutor.
Jun 17, 2026 at 9:39 PM · CBS News
Senate fumes as Clayton chaos unwinds path to renew FISA
Jun 17, 2026 at 9:41 PM · The Hill
Trump's FISA threat is like 'cutting off your nose to spite your face,' says Sen. Slotkin
Jun 18, 2026 at 10:51 AM · NPR
Sen. Elissa Slotkin on intel chief's confirmation hearing and election integrity
Jun 18, 2026 at 10:51 AM · NPR
GOP senator: Trump putting ‘American lives at risk’ by blocking DNI nominee
Jun 18, 2026 at 2:18 PM · The Hill
Ossoff: Trump 'making a terrorist attack more likely' with Pulte nomination
Jun 18, 2026 at 6:12 PM · The Hill
Trump DNI pick Pulte poised to get access to U.S. intelligence despite congressional bid to thwart
Jun 18, 2026 at 6:27 PM · CNBC
Trump’s Intelligence Pick Renews Debate: Is the Director of National Intelligence Needed?
Jun 19, 2026 at 12:35 AM · NYT
Trump’s new acting intel chief Bill Pulte arrives early, eyes firing hundreds
Jun 19, 2026 at 8:00 AM · CNN