Many are perplexed; however, don’t overthink it.
President Trump has announced Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence, via a Truth Social post earlier today:
PRESIDENT TRUMP – “I am appointing the Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, and Chairman of Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac, William J. Pulte, to serve as Acting Director of National Intelligence. William has deep experience managing the most sensitive matters in America, the safety and soundness of the Markets, and over 10 Trillion Dollars at Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac, a substantial increase from where it was just 12 months ago. During this period, he will remain Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, and Chairman of Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac. Congratulations to Director Pulte!” ~ President DONALD J. TRUMP
In the context of what has taken place in the past 16 months, from CTH perspective an ‘acting’ position in this specific role is essentially a placeholder position. Pulte placed as acting DNI, perhaps (my guess) in lieu of a permanent appointment that cannot yet be made due to other factors.
Deputy DNI Aaron Lucas remains in place. Within the construct of the DNI office, Lucas remaining as Deputy actually facilitates the installation of a placeholder that would otherwise not be possible because legislative regulations and preferences on the DNI post are specifically designed to favor only nominations with background experience in military intelligence and/or long-term intelligence status. {See 50 U.S. Code § 3026}
When congress created the ODNI they outlined: “under ordinary circumstances, it is desirable” that either the director or the principal deputy director of national intelligence be an active-duty commissioned officer in the armed forces or have training or experience in military intelligence activities and requirements. {Go Deep} Also remember, President Trump (T1) was the first administration to elevate the DNI to a cabinet level position. Biden retained that status.
Bill Pulte is viewed as loyal, trustworthy and a solid team player. As a placeholder Pulte makes sense, and that explains retention of his current job in the Federal Housing Finance Agency while he fills the role of ‘acting DNI’. Given the legislative expectations behind the office, Pulte would seemingly have no path to permanent confirmation by the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.
Under the scenario (in my head) that seems to make the most sense, the White House would seem to favor current House Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Rick Crawford to fill the DNI spot. However, with only a one seat margin in the House pulling a republican member of the House to the cabinet is not plausible. In this scenario an acting appointment makes sense.
HPSCI Chairman Rick Crawford has worked closely with DNI Gabbard and seems like he: (a) wants the job, (b) would be qualified for the job; and more importantly (c) understands the job as executed by DNI Tulsi Gabbard. The last point is the most important. Crawford also fully appreciates how badly the IC was weaponized by political corruption, and he knows (generally) who the bad administrators were in the weaponization of the IC and what actions they took.
Having a DNI that accepts and admits all previous corruption is really important, and unfortunately there are not many names in/out of Washington DC who have any substantive concept of it. Very few; very, very, few people, can fathom just how badly the Intelligence Community has been compromised. What set Tulsi Gabbard apart from the rest was her keen awareness of reality. Crawford does seem to come closest to that frame of mind.
If Rick Crawford was viewed as the best candidate to replace Tulsi, then putting Pulte into position as a placeholder makes sense.
If Republicans lose the House in the midterms, Crawford moves to DNI (seats numbers become moot). If Republicans can gain seats in the Midterms, Crawford can move to DNI. That type of scenario played out is my best guess for why Bill Pulte was announced.
Suspicious Cat remains, well, increasingly suspicious.
“Very few; very, very, few people, can fathom just how badly the Intelligence Community has been compromised. What set Tulsi Gabbard apart from the rest was her keen awareness of reality. Crawford does seem to come closest to that frame of mind.” – Sundance
We Treepers all understand this! The Conservative Treehouse should be come mandatory reading for all conservatives, Republicans, Faux Republicans, Christians and the brain addled left! More of the sheeple need to understand how bad the IC really is!!! JMO
Verrrrry interrrrresting!
Onward…………..like a freight train rolling.
Thanks for clarifying!
Not going to disagree with Sundance’s evaluation of the situation.
It’s a painful reminder of Tulsi’s value and how we are going to miss her.
I’m trying to understand how the DNI situation works out and if there will be accountability and reconcile that with the insurrection in NJ that is allowed to take place.
I said it in the other thread. Pulte is an action guy and a loyalist to President Trump. He made the referrals to the DOJ to Tish James and the Fed reservist. I am fine with it.
Hopefully, we’re not anticipating losing seats in Congress.
How can we not? Sorry to be a doomer but inflation is killing people. I’m anticipating a shellacking.
Do they not have sick leave as a DNI? Would love to see Tulsi step right back in the roll once her husband is better. Sick leave would hold her position, right? No new senate confirmation?
Of course crawford wants the ODNI job, if for no other reason then to protect the IC.
I have zero trust for any member, current or past, of either congressional select committees on intelligence. They are, in my opinion, thoroughly compromised in one way or another.
That is why Rubio must never be POTUS, in my opinion.
“………..from CTH perspective an ‘acting’ position in this specific role is essentially a placeholder position.”
Placeholder, or figurehead? DINO? (Director In Name Only) Leaving Deputy DNI Aaron Lucas in place seems like a smart move. He’s already established in that position, and so can easily absorb all those important things that were on Gabbard’s plate. This allows the DNI to remain on course as it dismantles the web of intelligence agencies deceptions placed upon the public. Who knows, maybe Tulsi’s husband will find a fast cure, returning him to such good health that Tulsi might be able to return to her post.
As the grandson of Pulte Homes founder…
President Trump expects him to build upon Tulsi’s legacy 🙂
The Senate intelligence Committee is having a Meltdown over this So you know President Trump did the right selection
Tulsi is also only a phone call away. Although caring for her husband may be her top priority she will have significant free time I would think.
During Mr. Pulte’s appointment, I am wondering if the effectiveness of the ODNI will be on hold until (hopefully) Mr. Crawford can be moved over to ODNI? Director Gabbard’s performance is going to be hard to beat and that having her momentum placed on a reduced product output won’t be a harmful thing in the long run.