Ossoff: Trump 'making a terrorist attack more likely' with Pulte nomination

Sen. Jon Ossoff argues that President Trump's appointment of Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence heightens the risk of a terrorist attack on the United States. Ossoff called the move perhaps the most chilling and dangerous nomination the president has made. Pulte is slated to assume the post on Friday as Tulsi Gabbard steps down, a transition that has intensified scrutiny of the administration's choice for top intelligence leadership. The Georgia Democrat, who serves on the Intelligence Committee, framed the nomination as destabilizing the U.S. intelligence community at a sensitive moment. Ossoff noted that Pulte, best known as FHFA director and a past donor to Trump, has pressed probes into mortgage fraud allegations involving several people tied to opponents of the president, including New York Attorney General Letitia James and Democratic Senator Adam Schiff. He argued that the director's lack of formal experience in intelligence or national security makes the appointment risky. Supporters of the president argue the choice reflects loyalty and administrative control rather than policy expertise. Trump later nominated Jay Clayton to the full-time DNI role, but directed Clayton not to appear at a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing that afternoon, delaying the proceedings as lawmakers considered the nomination. The White House signaled that Clayton's confirmation would proceed once Congress passes legislation combining a voter ID bill with an extension of foreign surveillance authorities. Senate Intel Chair Tom Cotton said the delay was regrettable and praised Clayton as a patriot, while Ossoff pressed that elevating a political ally with questionable credentials jeopardizes U.S. security and could destabilize intelligence operations.