Senate Intelligence Vice Chair Mark Warner (D-Va.) has introduced legislation aimed at restricting presidential appointments for the acting director of national intelligence (DNI). The bill, targeting President Trump’s recent choice to lead the intelligence community, prohibits the president from bypassing the Senate confirmation process by installing an acting DNI.
President Trump appointed Bill Pulte, who concurrently heads the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), as acting DNI. This decision bypassed the Senate’s confirmation process for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), raising concerns among lawmakers.
Warner’s proposed Do Not Interfere in our Intelligence Act mandates that the principal deputy DNI, a Senate-confirmed position, assume the role of acting head during vacancies. Warner emphasized the importance of qualified, Senate-approved professionals leading the intelligence community to avoid unqualified appointments motivated by personal agendas.
“Bill Pulte may be exactly who President Trump wants running the intelligence community, but that does not make him qualified for the job….The intelligence community should be led by experienced, Senate-confirmed professionals – not by whoever happens to be most willing to carry out the president’s whims and vendettas,” Warner stated in a press release announcing the legislation.
Following former DNI Tulsi Gabbard’s departure due to personal reasons, Trump initially nominated Aaron Lukas, Gabbard’s principal deputy, to temporarily head the agency. However, Trump replaced Lukas with Pulte on an acting basis, permitted for 210 days under current law. With no national security or intelligence background, Pulte’s appointment alarmed both Democrats and some Republicans who feared potential misuse of agency power.
While leading FHFA, Pulte referred four Trump critics to the Justice Department, citing alleged mortgage fraud, which intensified criticisms. The controversy led Democrats to demand Lukas’ reinstatement to the vacant DNI role, threatening to obstruct renewal of national surveillance authorities. Despite Congress’s failure to renew these powers, Trump nominated U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton as DNI but later instructed Clayton to skip his confirmation hearing to prevent Pulte from serving as acting DNI.
Warner’s bill introduces provisions for alternative Senate-vetted acting DNI candidates. If the principal deputy DNI position remains unfilled, Warner suggests selecting from available roles such as directors of the National Counterterrorism Center, National Counterintelligence and Security Center, ODNI’s general counsel, or the inspector general for intelligence. The bill also lists CIA, Department of Homeland Security, and National Security Agency leaders as potential appointees.
The legislation seeks to restore professional leadership within the intelligence community and safeguard against unqualified temporary appointments.
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