Leader Schumer Floor Remarks Rebuking Trump’s Appointment Of Bill Pulte As Acting Director Of National Intelligence

Washington, D.C. – Today, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) spoke on the Senate floor rebuking Donald Trump’s choice of Bill Pulte, one of Trump’s unqualified lackeys, to serve as Acting Director of National Intelligence. Below are Senator Schumer’s remarks, which can also be viewed here:

Trump’s appointment of Bill Pulte to serve as Acting Director of National Intelligence appears to have been a hastily considered backroom deal based on loyalty to Trump, not the security of our nation.

From what I can tell, no one in the administration consulted the law – which requires the DNI to have “extensive” national security experience. Extensive national security experience.

In contrast, Pulte has a record of abusing his office to attack Trump’s political enemies.

The timing of this announcement could not be worse, with just over a week until FISA 702 authorities expire.

This announcement and its timing clearly make passing an extension much harder.

At a time when our nation is at war and our troops are in harm’s way, we need someone serious to lead the intelligence community – not another unqualified, inexperienced partisan. The security of our armed forces, the security of the American people depends on real intelligence and someone who states the facts clearly and boldly. Pulte would be about the last person I’d pick to do that, he’s simply a hack who does Trump’s bidding, no matter how egregious that bidding might be.

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