Bill Pulte’s lack of intelligence credentials has been the central point of contention in the debate over his taking on the role of acting director of national intelligence.
But lawmakers, including some Republicans, say that it’s an open question whether he can continue to do his job as director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency as well, as President Donald Trump has said Pulte plans to do.
“I don’t see how he can possibly do both jobs,” Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) told NOTUS.
While Republicans defend Pulte’s record on housing, some were unclear on how he would multitask.
Trending
“I have no idea,” said Sen. John Kennedy (R-Louisiana) when NOTUS asked how Pulte would manage the dual roles. “I don’t know how to answer that. The president says he’ll do both jobs, so presumably he’ll do both jobs.”
Trump announced that Pulte would take the acting DNI role earlier this month. On Wednesday, he announced Pulte would be in the role by June 19, faster than previously anticipated.
Pulte’s appointment has become a sticking point in negotiations to reauthorize Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which is set to expire on Friday.
That’s in part due to his work as director at FHFA, where he has gone after some of Trump’s political enemies by accusing them of mortgage fraud. That track record has raised concerns for Democrats.
“He is qualified for neither job. He should be out in both jobs. He never should have been the nation’s chief housing official, and he is the most unqualified nominee for DNI in our nation’s history, and maybe the most unqualified for any position of trust in American history,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut), told NOTUS.
FHFA did not respond to NOTUS’ request for comment.
The backlash has been intense enough that Trump went out of his way last week to clarify that Pulte was not a “permanent” choice for the DNI role.
Still, on Wednesday he reaffirmed his choice as he looks for a permanent DNI replacement.
“The President chooses the best and most talented people to serve in his Cabinet. That is why this Administration has achieved record successes for the American people,” Davis Ingle, a spokesperson for the White House, told NOTUS in a statement. “Bill Pulte is a great selection and he will do a great job on behalf of the American people.”
As director of the FHFA — an independent regulatory agency that oversees Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae and the Federal Home Loan Bank System — Pulte oversees institutions that collectively provide trillions in funding to U.S. mortgage markets and financial institutions.
He overhauled the boards of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac within days of being sworn in, cut staff, and pushed through a credit score overhaul that the banking industry had sought for years.
His fans in Congress defend his ability to multitask between that role and that of DNI.
“He’s an extraordinarily smart person and can do multiple things.” Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), who said he has known Pulte for two decades, told NOTUS. “He’s built a great team, which is what you do when you’re an executive. You make sure you have great people around you.”
Some Republican senators deferred to the White House when asked about Pulte’s ability to fulfill his duties while emphasizing that the DNI role was interim.
Asked if someone could successfully do a good job in two separate agencies, Sen. James Lankford (R-Oklahoma) told NOTUS: “Marco Rubio did.”
Author
