Intelligence Director Hearing Cancelled as Trump Pushes for Controversial Voter Bill
President Trump ties FISA reauthorization to voting law changes, keeping Pulte as acting DNI and cancelling Clayton's hearing amid partisan standoff.
- On Wednesday, President Donald Trump cancelled the Senate hearing for Jay Clayton's nomination as Director of National Intelligence, announcing Bill Pulte will remain Acting Director of National Intelligence.
- The FISA surveillance program lapsed last week due to bipartisan opposition to Pulte's initial nomination; Trump nominated Clayton to facilitate speedy confirmation but has now stalled that process to leverage legislative demands.
- Trump stated he will not approve FISA without the "Save America Act" attached and refuses to advance Clayton until Jamie McDonald is confirmed as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York.
- Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Tom Cotton called the hearing cancellation "regrettable," while Democrats criticized Pulte's lack of national security experience. Pulte is set to take over the 18 agencies comprising the U.S. intelligence community on Friday.
- With FISA reauthorization stalled, Trump's refusal to advance Clayton ensures Pulte will likely assume authority over intelligence operations on Friday, raising concerns about his qualifications and potential staffing cuts within the intelligence community.
18 Articles
18 Articles
Bill Pulte is the wrong choice to lead national intelligence
President Donald Trump recently nominated venture capitalist and Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte as Acting Director of National Intelligence, saying he hopes Pulte will make further cuts in the office Pulte will oversee.Perhaps further cuts at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence make sense, although departing DNI Tulsi Gabbard has already slashed 40% of the staff. In any case, such decisions would best be made by a per…
Trump DNI pick Pulte poised to get access to U.S. intelligence despite congressional bid to thwart
With President Donald Trump halting his nomination of U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton as director of national intelligence, Bill Pulte is set to take on the role.
Why Trump is sabotaging his own nominee
President Donald Trump attends a press conference during the G7 Leaders' Summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, on June 17, 2026. | Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images This story appeared in The Logoff, a daily newsletter that helps you stay informed about the Trump administration without letting political news take over your life. Subscribe here. Welcome to The Logoff: President Donald Trump is still set on getting his unqualified pick for director of na…
Senate fumes as Clayton chaos unwinds path to renew FISA
President Trump’s scuttling of a hearing to review his pick for director of national intelligence has once again plunged Congress into chaos over who will lead the intelligence community and how lawmakers can renew the nation’s lapsed spy powers. The Senate spent the morning ping-ponging over whether members would even hear from nominee Jay Clayton,…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
