President Donald Trump has pushed to delay the nomination of Jay Clayton as the next intelligence director, keeping loyalist Bill Pulte on as acting DNI. Trump issued a message on Truth Social, pressuring Senate Republicans to delay Clayton's confirmation.
Trump claimed that Republicans agreed to remove Pulte as Acting DNI in return for getting FISA approved by Democrats, but the Republicans moved too quickly with Clayton's hearings, allowing Pulte to leave before the Democrats could vote on FISA.
Trump blamed the Democrats for the opposition to FISA, saying they broke the deal. He also stated that he would not approve FISA without the SAVE AMERICA ACT going along with it.
The Republican president further said that Bill Pulte will remain as the Acting Director of National Intelligence until Jamie McDonald is approved to be U.S. Attorney.
Several lawmakers have expressed concerns that Pulte is unqualified for the post, citing his lack of national security experience and fears that he would target Trump's perceived political enemies as DNI.
