President Trump appointed Bill Pulte, head of a federal housing agency, as acting director of national intelligence on Tuesday, bypassing traditional qualifications for overseeing the nation's spy networks. Pulte lacks any known national security experience, prompting concerns from intelligence veterans Senators Susan Collins and Mark Warner about his ability to handle classified information.

At his current housing post, Pulte targeted Trump's political opponents rather than addressing housing shortages. He pressured the Justice Department to investigate New York's Attorney General Letitia James, Senator Adam Schiff, and Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook for alleged mortgage fraud. Pulte obtained documents from Fannie Mae to support these inquiries while firing officials who questioned his conduct.

Pulte's predecessor Tulsi Gabbard was similarly criticized for limited intelligence credentials and promoting conspiracy theories. However, Gabbard served in the Army National Guard and Congress, making Pulte's appointment even more concerning. The 2004 law establishing the intelligence director role requires extensive national security expertise that Pulte clearly lacks.

As an acting appointee, Pulte can serve up to 210 days without Senate confirmation. The editorial argues Congress should block funding for ICE and FISA reauthorization until Trump removes him. Pulte and his wife contributed nearly $1 million to Republican causes in 2024, raising questions about his motivations for the role.