FILE PHOTO: Bill Pulte, nominated to be the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, testifies during a Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 27, 2025. REUTERS/Annabelle Gordon/File Photo
President Donald Trump appointed Bill Pulte, a wealthy housing finance official and PulteGroup founder's grandson, as acting director of national intelligence without any prior security clearance or vetting process.
CNN reported that three sources confirmed Pulte had no evidence of even the lowest-level security clearance before being named to oversee all 18 U.S. intelligence agencies, including the CIA and NSA.
Three sources told CNN the American businessman has no background in intelligence, espionage, or national security. One answered flatly, Pulte passed none of the prior vetting process.
Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, expressed concern, arguing Pulte lacks evidence that he would respect classified information access.
Bipartisan criticism has since emerged, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) calling for professionals and Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) saying Pulte has no path in the Senate.
Trump suggested election conspiracy theories motivated the pick, telling reporters on Thursday, "He may find out some things about the rigged elections."
The law creating the DNI position in 2004 states that nominees have extensive national security expertise.
Watch the video below.