‘Indefensible’: Left and Right Rage at Trump’s DNI Pick

President Donald Trump’s choice of Bill Pulte, the head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, as acting director of national intelligence ignited rare anger across party lines Tuesday—critics from both the left and the right questioned his qualifications, whi

President Donald Trump’s announcement Tuesday that Bill Pulte would serve as acting director of national intelligence set off alarms so quickly they spilled across partisan lines before the day even settled.

Trump raised eyebrows and fury by naming Pulte—the controversial head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency—as the country’s top intelligence and national security figure. Pulte will succeed Tulsi Gabbard as the leader of the intelligence community. overseeing the CIA. the NSA. and other federal agencies involved in intelligence collection. including the FBI. In the role. he will also serve as a principal advisor to Trump and the National Security Council on matters of foreign policy and national security.

The central complaint from critics was not subtle: Pulte has no military or intelligence background. Trump, however, defended the pick by saying Pulte “has deep experience managing the most sensitive matters in America.”

That defense collided almost immediately with the political and legal baggage surrounding Pulte. Critics pointed to the fact that Pulte has been “steeped in scandal,” including leading the charge to indict some of Trump’s political allies on allegations related to mortgage fraud.

Sen. Mark Warner, the vice chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, denounced the appointment in unusually sharp terms. Warner said the president chose someone who has demonstrated an eagerness to use government authorities for political retribution rather than selecting “a respected national security professional capable of delivering independent judgments.” He argued Americans have already seen Pulte use the powers of his office at the Federal Housing Finance Agency “to pursue the president’s grievances” and “lend credibility to dubious prosecutions” of Trump’s perceived political opponents.

From the right, the backlash came fast as well. Conservative radio host Erick Erickson reacted bluntly. writing: “Bill Pulte is one of the worst members of the President’s team and has convinced Trump to do more stupid stuff than anyone else in the past year. He’ll be driven to work in a very short bus each day.”.

Other politicians and political figures amplified the argument that the move is dangerous and out of step with what the intelligence community needs. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto said putting Pulte at the helm risks American lives “just so Trump can keep going after his political opponents. ” arguing the appointment leaves him “with no business doing” and noting that Pulte “led Donald Trump’s efforts to charge and jail his political enemies.”.

Chuck Schumer joined the condemnation, calling Pulte “a partisan thug with no experience in intelligence” and warning the appointment “will make our country less safe.” He also claimed Republicans who say they care about national security “won’t hear a word” on the matter.

A chorus of critics also tried to frame the appointment as part of a broader pattern of unqualified loyalty. Veteran GOP political operative Matt Mackowiak said. simply. “This is indefensible.” Jonah Goldberg called Pulte “a totally unqualified loyalist with a record of cutting corners” and said he is “just the guy you want at DNI.”.

Even some reactions focused less on partisan ideology and more on competence. Pradheep J. Shanker. M.D. said Pulte got “basic mortgage info wrong on his own documents” and said. “this is pathetically embarrassing. ” adding. “Finally. there is a foreign affairs official that I might literally be more competent than. ”.

At least one line of criticism zeroed in on what happens procedurally once a political fight begins over a job like the director of national intelligence. Tom Bevan. a commentator. argued that Pulte “could never be confirmed” but that under the FVRA he can remain in the job for 210 days. Bevan added that if Trump submits a nomination for DNI. Pulte can stay for the entire time the nomination is pending. and if the nomination fails. the 210-day clock starts over.

Some critics also pointed to the sheer workload and complexity of holding two major roles at once. James Surowiecki posted that Bill Pulte would be “the new Director of National Intelligence” while also continuing to run FHFA and Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac.

And others kept pressing the idea that this should have triggered something more severe than a promotion. Gregg Nunziata said, “Bill Pulte should be facing an impeachment inquiry, not a promotion to oversee a sensitive portfolio.”

As the reactions poured in. the appointment remained what Trump announced it to be: an acting role that places a controversial figure at the center of U.S. intelligence and national security—overseeing agencies ranging from the CIA and NSA to the FBI. advising Trump and the National Security Council on foreign policy and national security. and doing it without the military or intelligence background that many lawmakers say matters most.

For critics, the fury didn’t hinge on political differences so much as on a single question: who should be trusted with the nation’s most sensitive decisions, and what signal is sent when that trust is granted to someone they view as unqualified and politically entangled.

Bill Pulte acting director of national intelligence Federal Housing Finance Agency FHFA Fannie Mae Freddie Mac Tulsi Gabbard CIA NSA FBI Mark Warner Erick Erickson Catherine Cortez Masto Chuck Schumer FVRA U.S. intelligence national security