Key facts
- President Trump announced Bill Pulte will not be nominated for permanent Director of National Intelligence.
- Pulte currently serves as director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency.
- The announcement was made on Thursday.
- Pulte faced bipartisan controversy over his potential dual role and lack of national security experience.
- Former CIA Director Leon Panetta criticized the pick.
President Trump announced on Thursday that Bill Pulte will not be nominated to serve permanently as the Director of National Intelligence. Pulte currently holds the position of director at the Federal Housing Finance Agency. This decision comes amid bipartisan controversy over his potential concurrent service in both capacities. Trump indicated he would not nominate the mortgage regulator to be the nation's intelligence chief once his temporary appointment expires early next year. His comments follow a backlash against Pulte's appointment as acting director of national intelligence from Democrats and some key senators of his Republican Party over the Trump loyalist's lack of national security experience. Senator John Thune indicated he was willing to speak up regarding the DNI pick. Former CIA Director Leon Panetta also derided the pick, telling NPR that Pulte has 'absolutely no business' serving in the role.