Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent appeared before the Senate today to discuss the Treasury budget appropriation and respond to questions.

Senate Intelligence Committee Vice-Chairman Mark Warner could not contain himself and used his time on camera to question Secretary Bessent about something far away from Bessent’s sphere of influence.  Warner began physically shaking and grasping for words to describe his outrage, his apoplexy and fury at the audacity of President Trump to appoint Bill Pulte as Acting Director of National Intelligence.

The first half of this segment is glorious.

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Not since Matt Gaetz nomination to AG have we seen such fits of apoplexy coming from within congress to the interim appointment of a cabinet member in an ‘acting’ capacity.  Forget the sand, the gears of government are reacting to an iron wrench in their machinery.  It’s awesome.

They’ve already threatened to withhold FISA-702 reauthorization, and if we get lucky, they’ll threaten to eliminate the income tax.  (more…)

President Donald Trump sits down for an extensive interview with Miranda Devine and explains [at 13:22] why the frustration with Israel ended up with some salty words exchanged between himself and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“I did. I always get angry. I was a little bit perturbed at him, constantly fighting with Lebanon. I said, ‘at some point we’ve going to stop this’.”

President Trump is also asked about the perception of President Trump’s policy directive toward Iran being controlled by Israeli interests.  President Trump rejects that perception.  Additionally, Mrs Devine also asks President Trump about the continued efforts of the former CIA to target his administration (impeachment, Hunter Biden laptop, etc.)  WATCH:

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Oh, this is just awesome news.  Republicans are going bananas. Democrats, led by senate intel vice-chairman Mark Warner are having fits and meltdowns.  All of it because President Trump announced the appointment of Bill Pulte to replace Tulsi Gabbard at the end of the month as Acting DNI.

To make the issues even better, Democrats are now threatening to block FISA-702 reauthorization and stop the warrantless surveillance of American citizens unless Pulte’s appointment is withdrawn.  Yes, read that again slowly if needed – it’s perfect. 🤣😂🤣

WASHINGTON DC – […] Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chair Mark Warner (D-Va.) asked Senate Majority Leader John Thune on Tuesday to use his influence with the White House to reverse Trump’s move to install Pulte as overseer of the nation’s 18 intelligence agencies, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.

Warner, who’s been critical in building Democratic support for a bipartisan deal to extend FISA Section 702, made clear to Thune that all options are on the table to reverse what Democrats see as a dangerous Trump pick to lead ODNI. Pulte, who currently leads the Federal Housing Finance Agency, has no national security experience and has used his existing role to exact revenge on Trump’s political foes.

From Warner’s perspective, it’s impossible to convince enough Democrats to support a reauthorization of Section 702 when Pulte would be the one overseeing the program. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has also privately told senators that the Pulte appointment makes passing a FISA deal much more difficult.

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Thune defers to Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Tom Cotton, who, obviously, wants maximum control returned to the Central Intelligence Agency, and it is a little funny; visibly funny.  Because in the background -much to the angst of the SSCI- people are starting to realize how this dysfunctional Intelligence Community apparatus actually works.

With Marco Rubio as National Security Advisor and Secretary of State, and John Ratcliffe as Director of the Central Intelligence agency, and Tulsi Gabbard as the Director of National Intelligence, the SSCI has started to lose control over their analyst-centric institutional control mechanisms.

What most Americans don’t yet fully grasp is how ridiculously stupid most of the Intelligence Community actually is.  For two decades, particularly when Team Obama was in charge, the IC qualification that mattered was political ideology.  The IC became a massive network of analysts, who had no functional ability to interpret reality on the ground – regardless of where the intelligence was coming from.

As a consequence, the IC got almost everything wrong as they chased outcomes borne from the brain trust of leadership within the Senate, within the CIA, and within U.S. Dept of State.  Instead of looking at things as they are, the IC always looked at things from the prism of how they wanted it to be. The analysis of the issue flowed from that perspective – regardless of the capability of the Govt institution to create that outcome.

Rubio, Ratcliffe and Gabbard started taking apart that nest of bureaucratic analytical thinking – and focusing on policy that doesn’t come from the Senate.  When you take that approach, the Senate loses control.  SSCI Chairman Tom Cotton is asked about Acting DNI Pulte and hilariously says: “I have no observations on the matter.” WATCH: 

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There are a blue-zillion important events and storylines happening today; however, John 15:17: “This is my command: Love each other.” A prioritization is needed.

DNI Tulsi Gabbard shares a moment of pause and thankfulness, as together with her husband Abraham Williams she arrives at the hospital to begin surgical treatment for his bone cancer.

“We are getting ready to head to the hospital for my husband’s surgery and just wanted to say thank you so much to all of who have shared messages, prayers and well wishes for Abraham. We are humbled and so grateful to be surrounded by aloha during this really tough time.” (source)

We are getting ready to head to the hospital for my husband’s surgery and just wanted to say thank you so much to all of who have shared messages, prayers and well wishes for Abraham. We are humbled and so grateful to be surrounded by aloha during this really tough time. 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/EpDcRqv8FV

— Tulsi Gabbard 🌺 (@TulsiGabbard) June 2, 2026

Heavenly Father, we have need for You today. Please provide Your healing power and grace upon Abraham Williams, the husband of Tulsi Gabbard.

Lord of mercy guide those who will now tend the affliction. We accept Your works through those You guide and love powerfully, completely and unconditionally. Our first, last and final healing is always found in You.

We come to You today with our prayers for both Abraham and Tulsi, and we know You hear our prayers just as You understand our faith. We ask for Your comforting embrace of Abraham, Tulsi and those they love.

Father of strength, lift the heart of Tulsi Gabbard and fill her with fortitude, courage and the sense of safety. God that holds the stars, we ask for Your healing and grace to cover Abraham; every affliction; every wound; every trepidation and consequence. Thank You for Your mighty power that works through all things.

We reach out to You knowing through every struggle Your glory is in command. We ask that You pull our prayers close and extend Your healing power. In Jesus’ name. ~Amen.

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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.

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The Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI) is Congressman Rick Crawford from Arkansas CD-01. Coincidentally the same state as Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman, Tom Cotton.

In a preview of an upcoming (June 1) podcast interview with talk show host Paul Harrell, HPSCI Chairman Crawford discusses the departure of DNI Tulsi Gabbard and the role she played within the aggregate intelligence apparatus.  You might find some of Chairman’s remarks to be familiar. WATCH:

This is a preview of our interview with House Intel Chair Rick Crawford that airs in full on Monday June 1st on LFATV and @PaulTalkShow Youtube channel. Congressman Crawford revealed that the ODNI doesn’t have it’s own computer system and has always relied on CIA systems. This… pic.twitter.com/KX1rt7Bx2l

— RealPaulHarrell (@RealPaulHarrell) May 29, 2026

[Compare to BACKSTORY HERE]

Keep in mind that Rick Crawford is the chairman of the House intelligence committee and a gang-of-eight oversight member.

Inch by inch, folks. Inch by inch.

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An interesting arrest that might warrant some background material prior to today’s events.  Keep in mind there are several indicted individuals from Venezuela and Mexico now said to be cooperating with the DOJ and federal law enforcement.

In addition to former Venezuela dictator Nicolas Maduro in the Southern District of New York, we should also note three Mexican officials connected to the Sinaloa cartel previously turned themselves in to U.S. federal officials and are said to be cooperating.

Earlier this month, Gerardo Mérida, a retired Mexican army general who served as public-security secretary in northwestern Sinaloa state surrendered in Tucson, Arizona. Enrique Inzunza Cazárez, who is also facing drug trafficking and weapon charges, was taken into custody in San Diego by the DEA. Sinaloa businessman Enrique Diaz Vega – another name from the SDNY indictment – also turned himself into U.S. authorities in Arizona.

As you read this story, also keep in mind the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency, falls under the authority of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, and that agency oversees a background check program, known as “continuous vetting.”

According to NBC News a 20-year veteran manger within the CIA named David Rush has been arrested on suspicion of embezzlement and theft.  The CIA operative was reported to have been referred to the FBI by CIA Director John Ratcliffe.

(VIA NBC) WASHINGTON — A former CIA senior officer with top secret-level clearance has been accused of secretly stashing millions of dollars in gold bars in his home that he said he needed for “work-related expenses,” according to court documents and two people familiar with his employment history.

David Rush, who held a management position, was charged with criminal theft of public money in a complaint filed last week in the Eastern District of Virginia. His lawyer didn’t respond to a request for comment.  He was also accused of lying to his employers about his background for nearly two decades.

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During a cabinet meeting today at the White House, President Trump took the opportunity to thank Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, for her exceptional work and focus within the intelligence system to organize strong reforms that will be around for a long time.

DNI Tulsi Gabbard has indeed been a transformative member of the cabinet, working through her office and agency while partnered with CIA Director John Ratcliffe and National Security Advisor Marco Rubio.  Mrs. Gabbard is leaving on June 30 to stand beside her husband Abraham as he battles a bone cancer diagnosis.  WATCH:

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It is expected that DNI Gabbard will deliver more information to the American public through a series of declassifications prior to the end of her tenure. There is no immediate discussion of her replacement and Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence, Aaron Lukas, will serve as Acting Director of National Intelligence following her departure.

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Earlier today the New York Post (Murdoch Inc.) was reporting a cabinet meeting was scheduled to take place tomorrow at Camp David, in Maryland.  The unusual location for this meeting stemmed from information the Post obtained via an anonymous “White House official.”

For some reason, every media report felt it was important to emphasize that Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard would be in attendance at the cabinet meeting.  Gabbard’s departure is openly well known and not expected until June 30th, but for some reason the DC media stenographers were quite interested in whether DNI Gabbard would be in attendance.

After about 8 hours, President Trump announced the cabinet meeting was moved back to Washington DC, due to an inclement weather forecast.

[WEATHER]

Terrible weather. Horrible stuff. 40% chance of rain even.

Cloudy, with a chance of meatballs.

During the eight hours between the leaked location report and the sudden reversal in venue, something else happened.

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