McConnell Rejects Bill Pulte for DNI Post, Denying Trump Pick 1 GOP Vote

2 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jun 3

Mitch McConnell said Bill Pulte lacks the statutory qualifications to serve as director of national intelligence and would not get his vote for the job permanently.
McConnell argued the DNI role is one of the few Senate-confirmable posts with explicit legal eligibility requirements, saying anyone in it must have extensive national security experience.
The Kentucky Republican did not name Pulte directly in his statement, but the remarks targeted Trump's choice for acting DNI and signaled immediate resistance to any formal nomination.
McConnell had already broken with Republicans on intelligence leadership this year, joining Democrats to oppose Tulsi Gabbard's confirmation as DNI over what he called alarming lapses of judgment.