U.S. Senator Invoice Cassidy (R-LA) speaks as U.S. Well being and Human Providers Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., testifies earlier than a Senate Finance Committee listening to on President Donald Trump’s 2026 well being care agenda, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., September 4, 2025.
Evelyn Hockstein | Reuters
Federal Housing Finance Company chief Invoice Pulte doesn’t look like “competent” to function appearing director of nationwide intelligence, outgoing Republican Sen. Invoice Cassidy stated throughout an interview Tuesday at CNBC’s CEO Council Summit.
Cassidy, who not too long ago didn’t qualify for a runoff in Louisiana’s Republican main after President Donald Trump endorsed one in all his challengers, Rep. Julia Letlow, R-La, stated his Senate colleagues have been stunned by the president’s appointment of Pulte as spy chief on Tuesday morning.
“Nothing right here suggests he is competent within the job for which he is been appointed,” Cassidy stated. “That is simply type of the type of dialog with my colleagues, like OMG.”
“He has no army background, no intelligence background, he will … hold his different job, and he isn’t even positive he has a safety clearance,” Cassidy stated.
Intelligence neighborhood veterans warned that Pulte is ill-prepared for the job and will threat the standard of U.S. intelligence whereas utilizing the perch to take purpose at Trump’s home foes.
Cassidy stated he is not sure if he would again Pulte as a DNI nominee, though Pulte has not been formally nominated for the put up. Pulte can serve for a restricted time as an appearing DNI unapproved by the Senate.
“The issue with appearing is typically individuals act perpetually,” Cassidy stated, pointing to Julie Su, who served because the appearing labor secretary throughout the Biden administration.
Cassidy shouldn’t be the primary Republican to precise concern over Pulte’s {qualifications}. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, who additionally misplaced a contested main final month, stated earlier within the day that he doesn’t imagine Pulte is certified.
The Louisiana senator additionally warned in regards to the risk that Pulte may stick round for longer than his allowed tenure.
“Typically issues that aren’t everlasting turn into fairly everlasting,” he stated.
