Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) on Sunday became the latest Republican to question President Donald Trump’s decision to install housing finance regulator Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence, adding to a growing bipartisan backlash opposing the president’s pick.
Appearing on Fox News, Lankford said the nation’s top intelligence post requires a leader with deep experience managing sensitive national security matters and suggested Pulte’s background raises legitimate questions.
“He’s not qualified for the long-term position; that’s been clear on this,” Lankford said. “He has no national security background.”
Lankford’s comments come as lawmakers from both parties have voiced skepticism about Pulte, who was tapped last week to lead the U.S. intelligence community after DNI Director Tulsi Gabbard stepped down to care for her husband who was diagnosed with cancer. Pulte can serve in the position for months without Senate confirmation under federal vacancy laws.
Rep. Mike McCaul (R-TX), who previously chaired the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Rep. Jim Hines (D-CT), the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, both used Sunday television appearances to challenge the selection and argue the role demands extensive national security expertise.
McCaul said he doesn’t think Pulte is “statutorily” qualified to take on the role, and like Lankford, emphasized that Pulte has no national security experience. McCaul also raised alarm about the timing of Pulte taking on the role, which comes just before America 250 celebrations and the 2026 World Cup games.
Hines also criticized Pulte’s resume, saying he doesn’t have “an iota” of national security experience.
“There is no way that the authorities and assets of the intelligence community can be in the hands of an individual who showed that his sole reason for being in Washington is to do the president’s political laundry,” Hines said.
The appointment also triggered concerns among lawmakers who oversee intelligence programs. Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), Senate Majority Leader John Thune, and other GOP senators have also questioned whether Pulte is qualified to oversee the nation’s 18-agency intelligence apparatus. Democrats have been even more forceful, arguing the appointment risks politicizing intelligence operations.
During his time as Trump’s Federal Housing Finance Agency director, Pulte, a real estate scion and social media personality, criminally referred Trump political opponents to the Justice Department over allegations of mortgage fraud.
Trump has defended Pulte’s appointment, emphasizing it is temporary, but saying Pulte is a “very smart” and a person with “high-integrity.”
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The controversial pick spilled into a broader debate over national security policy on Friday when opposition to Pulte’s appointment contributed to a Senate standoff over reauthorizing Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, a key surveillance authority used by agencies to collect foreign intelligence.
Several lawmakers tied their concerns about Pulte directly to the surveillance debate, arguing Congress should not expand intelligence powers while questions remain about who is leading the intelligence community.