Trump: Dems will 'do anything' to keep Pulte out of ODNI

"They can pass it anyway they want to pass it," he added.

Published: June 17, 2026 10:26am

President Donald Trump on Wednesday indicated that the Democrats were desperate to keep Federal Housing Finance Agency chief Bill Pulte from taking over as acting Director of National Intelligence.

"They'll do anything not to have Pulte go in there," Trump said, addressing his recent comments saying that Democrats were blocking a U.S. Attorney appointment.

Trump announced earlier this month that Pulte would take over for the outgoing Tulsi Gabbard, who announced her resignation after her husband's cancer diagnosis. Democratic backlash ultimately prompted him to tap U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton for the role in a permanent capacity.

Clayton was set to appear for a confirmation hearing on Wednesday, but Trump announced that the hearing would not move forward as Democrats floated opposing an extension of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) over Pulte's appointment. Trump also indicated he did not want the Senate to confirm Clayton until they confirmed his replacement pick for U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jamie McDonald.

Trump contended that Democrats had reneged on their agreement with Republicans to approve FISA if Pulte was replaced and consequently, he declared that he wouldn't support the FISA extension without the inclusion of a marquis voter ID bill, the SAVE America Act.

"We want FISA approved, but we want SAVE America Act approved," he said at the G7. "We also want no men playing in women's sports and we want no transgender mutilation of our children."

"They can pass it anyway they want to pass it," he added.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X.

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