Jockeying Starts for a Trump Intelligence Job

Semafor: “President Donald Trump hasn’t committed to naming a permanent director of national intelligence to quell bipartisan outrage over his interim choice, but there’s already a quiet competition among more conventional hopefuls in case he wants to fill the job.”

“Trump shocked Washington when he announced last week that Bill Pulte, his top housing regulator, would also serve as acting director of national intelligence. As several Republican senators joined them in objecting to Pulte’s lack of experience, Democrats moved to withhold their votes from a deal to extend key government surveillance powers until Trump chose a more conventional intelligence chief.”

“That hasn’t happened yet, though Trump suggested last week that Pulte would be in the role ‘short-term.’ His comments still sparked a flurry of behind-the-scenes lobbying and parlor-game speculation over who might replace the 38-year-old homebuilder in the national security apparatus.”

CBS News: Trump stands by decision to name Pulte to intel role despite revolt in Congress.