McConnell says he won't confirm DNI nominee without national security experience, after Pulte to DNI

Kentucky GOP Sen. Mitch McConnell warned the Trump administration Wednesday that he will not vote to confirm any nominees for director of National Intelligence who lack relevant national security experience. 

The comment comes after President Donald Trump tapped Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte as the acting Director of National Intelligence. Several Republican senators have expressed concerns over his qualifications for the post.

McConnell did not specifically name Pulte in his statement but appeared to warn that the acting director might not get confirmed if Trump formally nominates him for the post. The Senate does not need to confirm an acting director.

“Very few Senate-confirmable positions come with statutory eligibility requirements. There are good reasons why the director of National Intelligence is one of them," McConnell said. "Anyone performing this role of such immense public trust must have the extensive national security experience required by statute, and no nominee who falls short of this requirement will earn my vote."

McConnell was the sole Republican senator who voted against Tulsi Gabbard's nomination last year as director of DNI, stating that her “command of relevant policy falls short of the requirements" necessary for the post, according to The Hill.

Gabbard announced last month that she would be resigning her post at the end of June in order to support her husband, who has been diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.