General Discussion

Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) warned on Wednesday that any person tapped to serve as director of national intelligence (DNI) must have “extensive national security experience,” sending a pointed message to President Trump after he tapped Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte for the nation’s top intelligence job.

McConnell did not name Pulte in his statement but made it clear that he’s not likely to vote for him to serve as DNI in a longer-term capacity. Trump has only named Pulte as acting DNI and not formally submitted a nomination to the Senate for him to serve throughout the rest of his presidential term.

The Senate would need to vote to confirm Pulte to oversee the nation’s intelligence agencies in more than a temporary “acting” capacity.

“Very few Senate-confirmable positions come with statutory eligibility requirements. There are good reasons why the Director of National Intelligence is one of them. Anyone performing this role of such immense public trust must have the extensive national security experience required by statute, and no nominee who falls short of this requirement will earn my vote,” McConnell said.