Warner introduces bill to require Senate-confirmed acting DNIs in wake of Pulte controversy

Senate Intelligence Vice Chair Mark Warner (D-Va.) on Tuesday introduced a bill that would bar the president from installing an acting director of national intelligence (DNI), legislation taking aim at President Trump’s controversial pick to lead the intelligence community.

In tapping Bill Pulte, who also remains head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), as an acting official, Trump sidestepped the Senate confirmation process to lead the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI).

Dubbed the Do Not Interfere in our Intelligence Act, Warner’s bill requires the principal deputy DNI, which is a Senate-confirmed position, to step in as the acting head of the agency should there be a vacancy.

“Bill Pulte may be exactly who President Trump wants running the intelligence community, but that does not make him qualified for the job….The intelligence community should be led by experienced, Senate-confirmed professionals – not by whoever happens to be most willing to carry out the president’s whims and vendettas,” Warner said in a........

© The Hill