Trump cancels hearing for intelligence chief and keeps Pulte in office
The president linked the nomination of his candidate with a controversial electoral reform, opening a new clash with the Senate
President Donald Trump announced this Wednesday the cancellation of the Senate hearing to evaluate his candidate to lead the country's intelligence community, a decision that temporarily keeps Bill Pulte at the head of the office and that could intensify tensions with Republican and Democratic legislators.
Through a publication in Truth Social, Trump reported that he will not allow the confirmation process to advance until the Senate approves Jamie McDonald as federal prosecutor for the Southern District of New York, a position for which he was recently nominated.
“We have canceled today's Senate hearing on the Director of National Intelligence and will not move forward until Jamie McDonald is approved as U.S. Attorney,” the president wrote.
A new clash with the Senate
The canceled hearing was scheduled to review the nomination of Jay Clayton, who had been nominated by Trump to lead national intelligence after the departure of Tulsi Gabbard.
However, the president modified his plans last weekend and opted to push McDonald for another strategic position, leaving Clayton's confirmation on hold.
The decision surprised members of the Senate, especially because Trump made it clear that he seeks to use these nominations as a pressure tool to advance other legislative priorities.
The link with electoral reform
Trump also reiterated that he wants the renewal of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) to move forward alongside the so-called Save America Act, a Republican-led initiative that would require documentary proof of citizenship and photo identification to vote.
“The Republicans fell into a trap,” Trump wrote from France, where he is participating in diplomatic activities related to the G7 summit.
Meanwhile, Bill Pulte, a current housing official with no prior national intelligence experience, will remain as acting director.
The measure could face resistance in Congress. Some Republicans have expressed reservations about Pulte staying, while Democratic lawmakers have warned they will block certain intelligence-related projects as long as he remains in line to take the job permanently.