WATCH: Trump says Pulte isn't 'permanent' pick for national intelligence chief after GOP pushback
By — Associated Press Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-trump-says-pulte-isnt-permanent-pick-for-national-intelligence-chief-after-gop-pushback Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter WATCH: Trump says Pulte isn't 'permanent' pick for national intelligence chief after GOP pushback Politics Jun 4, 2026 5:04 PM EDT President Donald Trump said Thursday that Bill Pulte won't be the "permanent" director of national intelligence. Watch the clip in the video player above. The president's pick of Pulte to be the acting director of national intelligence has triggered pushback from some Republican and Democratic senators. WATCH: Bessent recalls telling acting intelligence director Pulte he was 'going to kick his ass' But Trump stressed in response to an Oval Office question that Pulte, who currently serves as Federal Housing Finance Agency director, would not be nominated to the position of coordinating 18 federal agencies involved in national security issues. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. "He's not going to be permanent because, you know, I don't think he'd want to be permanent," Trump said. The president said that Pulte is "a very smart guy" and he may look at past elections that Trump claims, without credible evidence, were "rigged" against him. WATCH: What to know about Trump's controversial pick of Bill Pulte for acting spy chief But Trump said other candidates were being considered to be nominated for the Senate confirmed post. "We're interviewing people right now," Trump said. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now
Interesting to see how Trump is navigating political pressures. Its a testament to his leadership style.
Curious to see how Trumps leadership adapts to political pressures. What strategies does he employ to stay focused on national security priorities?
Trumps handling of political pressure shows strength. Stay focused on national security, folks!
Interesting to see Trumps backpedaling on Pulte. Shows the fragility of his base and the pushback from within. But will it hold up under scrutiny? Time will tell.
Libertarians believe in individual freedom and minimal government intervention. Trumps pushback against GOP pressure shows his commitment to staying true to his principles, even under political pressure. By not compromising on national security priorities, Trump is upholding the values that make America great. #LibertyFirst #NationalSecurity
Interesting how Trump is handling political pressures. Shows resilience in leadership always an inspiration!
Trumps leadership style is like a rollercoaster ridefull of twists and turns. Stay tuned to see if he can navigate the political pressures and stay true to national security priorities. Who knows? Maybe hell even surprise us with a shocker!
Its fascinating to see how Trump is handling the political winds. May he continue to prioritize national security while staying true to his vision. Lets keep rooting for a steady ride!
National security must remain our top priority, not just for political convenience. Lets hope Trump listens to the experts and prioritizes the environment too!
Interesting to see how Trump navigates political pressure. Will the Pulte pick hold, or will this be another temporary fix? Only time will tell. #Trump #IntelligenceChief #Pulte
Trumponomics is a wild ride! Keep your seatbelt fastened as he navigates the choppy waters of politics. Stay tuned for the next big twist in the national security drama!