Trump Names Bill Pulte Acting DNI, Directs Mass IC Firings as Senate Blocks FISA Renewal

Trump appointed Bill Pulte, previously head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, as acting director of national intelligence; CNN, citing three sources, reported Pulte held no security clearance at any level and no background in intelligence or national security 1. In a Wall Street Journal interview, Trump instructed Pulte to begin firing intelligence community staff targeting Obama and Biden holdovers and said aboard Air Force One that he wants the office smaller 234. Trump stated he will not formally nominate Pulte, framing the acting role as a vehicle to execute workforce reductions before a permanent director takes over; Pulte concurrently runs the FHFA and chairs Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac 356. The Senate on June 5 blocked a procedural vote on FISA Section 702 renewal 47-52, with Democrats citing the Pulte appointment; Majority Leader Thune warned against a "weaponized DNI" and Minority Leader Schumer called Pulte unqualified 16.