Trump National Intelligence

Democrats and Republicans say President Donald Trump's pick for director of national intelligence seems unqualified. Democrats say federal housing finance director Bill Pulte lacks national security experience. Republican Sens. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and John Cornyn of Texas are leaving the chamber after this year’s elections and say Pulte lacks qualifications to be DNI. The Republican president says Pulte will remain director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency and chair of mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac while filling in for Tulsi Gabbard, who resigned last month. Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren says Pulte has abused his authority as housing finance director and asks, “What could go wrong?”

President Trump has tapped federal housing finance Director Bill Pulte to be acting director of national intelligence to replace Tulsi Gabbard.

The decision by Senate Democrats to let a key surveillance authority lapse comes as they're increasingly emboldened in their legislative fights against President Donald Trump. Democrats are even blocking traditionally bipartisan bills as they push back against his policies and personnel. It's an approach that represents an escalation from a year ago, when Democratic leader Chuck Schumer was widely criticized within his party for his key vote to side with Republicans and avert a government shutdown. Since then, Democrats have forced shutdowns, slowed Trump’s nominations and now blocked the bipartisan intelligence law as they seek leverage in a Republican Congress.