Trump slams Republicans over feud over Bill Pulte, acting DNI and FISA; ‘Republicans fell into a trap’
president Donald Trump Push to delay nomination of Jay Clayton as next intelligence director to maintain loyalty Bill Pulte Serves as Acting Director of National Intelligence. About the Truth Society, Trump Post a message Pressured Senate Republicans to delay Clayton’s confirmation, reversing plans to move forward quickly before Pulte takes office.
Trump said on his social media platform that “Republicans agree with the Democrats to remove the very fair and talented William Pulte as Acting Director of National Intelligence in exchange for his support.” foreign intelligence and security service Approved by DU Democrats. ”
He added, “Yet the Republicans moved so quickly during the hearings of the great Jay Clayton, the current U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, that Pulte stepped down before the DU Democrats voted for FISA. Now, the DU Democrats said they were going to vote against FISA — so, the Republicans ended up fulfilling their promise, but the DU Democrats broke the deal,” accusing the Democrats of opposing FISA.
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In addition, Trump also said, “Newly nominated U.S. Attorney Jamie McDonald must be confirmed and blue-slipped. Because of Republicans’ ridiculous view of blue-sliding (Democrats are often willing to reject it), I may not be able to get Jamie, the brilliant Sullivan & Cromwell partner, confirmed, and I don’t want to take Jay Clayton away from the great job he is doing before Jamie takes office.”
What Trump says about FISA and Bill Pulte
He added: “So, to add a little more intrigue, but in the interest of the country and the people, I will not approve the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act without the cooperation of the Save America Act.”
“It’s not that complicated, and Republicans are caught in a trap. Regarding the confirmation of our great patriot Jay Clayton, we are canceling today’s Senate hearing RE: DNI and will not proceed until Jamie McDonald is confirmed as U.S. Attorney,” he continued. The Republican president further said that “Bill Pulte will continue to serve as acting director of national intelligence during this period.”
Although Trump tried to push for an overhaul of the voting measure, it failed in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives earlier this month. While Trump is also currently angry with his party leaders, saying they are “trapped,” several Republican and Democratic lawmakers have said Pulte is unqualified for the position. He served as Trump’s housing finance director and has no national security experience. Additionally, many fear Pulte will go after the director of national intelligence, whom Trump views as a political enemy.
(Inputs from Bloomberg)