Trump's DNI Pick Bill Pulte Set to Assume Role Friday as Senate Confirmation Battle Stalls

Bill Pulte, the Federal Housing Finance Agency chief tapped by President Donald Trump to serve as acting director of national intelligence, is set to assume that role on Friday after Trump blocked Senate Republicans' efforts to fast-track the confirmation of his official nominee, Manhattan U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton.

Trump's move effectively sidelines Clayton for now, ensuring Pulte — a figure with no national intelligence experience — will gain access to the country's most sensitive intelligence data. The decision drew immediate condemnation from lawmakers in both parties.

Trump had nominated Clayton to permanently fill the DNI post after tapping Pulte earlier this month as acting director. Tulsi Gabbard had resigned from the role in May. But on Wednesday, Trump linked Clayton's confirmation hearing to two unrelated legislative demands: the passage of the SAVE America Act — a controversial Voter ID and proof of citizenship election bill — and the Senate confirmation of James McDonald, Clayton's would-be replacement as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York.

Trump also said he would withhold his signature from any extension of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act unless Congress met those conditions first. Democrats have pledged to oppose any FISA extension while Pulte remains Trump's acting DNI.

The standoff puts the reauthorization of a critical national security surveillance program in jeopardy. Critics warned that allowing FISA to lapse would leave significant gaps in U.S. intelligence capabilities.

Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., the top Democrat on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, called Pulte "a national security threat" on Thursday. "Donald Trump treats our national security like a political bargaining chip," Warner said. "Most of the stuff here is Democrats versus Republicans. This is not Democrats versus Republicans. This is sensible members of both parties in the Senate saying let's avoid a disaster, and Donald Trump is throwing a live hand grenade."

Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., went further on Wednesday, arguing that Trump's decision made "a terrorist attack more likely" by installing someone he described as unfit for the role.

Republican senators also voiced concern. Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., who is retiring at the end of this Congress, told reporters Wednesday that Clayton "was on the brink of having a very good hearing and probably even getting some Democrats' support, and now we're in a posture where it may be the reason why 702 might not get reauthorized."

Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., urged Trump directly to reverse course. "Mr. President, by preventing Jay Clayton from testifying before the Senate Intelligence Committee, it puts American lives at risk," Cassidy wrote on X. "Put America first. Don't stop Jay Clayton from coming before the Intel Committee."

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., offered little indication of a path forward. "I've never been asked to slow a nomination down before, so that's probably a good question for the White House," Thune said Thursday, adding simply of Trump: "I think he's very committed to Bill Pulte."

Trump, speaking Wednesday from the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, showed no sign of retreating. "As long as it takes to get everybody else approved," Trump said when asked how long Clayton's confirmation could be delayed. "He's a very legitimate guy; he's very smart. He's a brilliant guy," Trump said of Pulte.

The SAVE America Act, which Trump has made central to his demands, passed the House in February but has stalled in the Senate, and it remains unclear whether there are sufficient Republican votes to advance it. Vice President JD Vance, speaking at a White House briefing Thursday, acknowledged the bill's difficult odds but urged lawmakers to force a vote regardless. "One of the things that sometimes frustrates me about the legislative process is that people will go into it saying this isn't possible, therefore we're not even going to try," Vance said.

With Pulte set to formally take the acting DNI post on Friday, the fate of both Clayton's nomination and FISA's reauthorization now hinges on whether Trump softens his position — a prospect that, based on his public statements, appears remote.