Hillary is at it again.
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is once again criticizing President Donald Trump, this time over his decision to appoint Bill Pulte as acting Director of National Intelligence.
During a recent appearance on the Democracy Docket podcast, Clinton argued that Americans should be concerned about Pulte temporarily leading the nation’s intelligence agencies, claiming his lack of intelligence experience makes him unqualified for the position.
The comments came after host Marc Elias asked whether Pulte’s appointment could create concerns about election security or the broader operation of the U.S. intelligence community.
President Trump selected Pulte to serve as acting Director of National Intelligence following Tulsi Gabbard’s departure from the role. The appointment is expected to be temporary while Trump’s permanent nominee, Jay Clayton, moves through the Senate confirmation process.
Clinton Calls Pulte ‘Very Dangerous’
Clinton delivered some of her strongest criticism yet, describing Pulte as “very dangerous” and a “loose cannon.”
She argued that placing someone without an intelligence background at the top of the nation’s intelligence network undermines the professionals who have spent their careers serving inside America’s security agencies.
According to Clinton, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence was created after the September 11 terrorist attacks to improve communication and coordination among agencies such as the CIA, NSA, FBI, and the nation’s broader intelligence community.
She claimed the position has access to virtually every major intelligence briefing and suggested officials throughout the intelligence agencies should exercise caution when sharing sensitive information with the acting director.
Clinton Encourages Legal Challenge
Clinton also questioned whether Pulte legally qualifies to serve in the role.
She argued that a lawsuit should be filed to determine whether federal law allows someone with his background to hold the office, even on an acting basis. According to Clinton, a court should decide whether the statutory qualifications apply equally to temporary appointments.
She further claimed that America’s geopolitical rivals—including Iran, China, and Russia—would likely view Pulte’s appointment as beneficial because of his limited national security experience.
Trump Administration Stands Behind Appointment
The Trump administration has defended the appointment, emphasizing that Pulte is serving only in an acting capacity until Jay Clayton receives Senate confirmation.
Supporters also point out that Pulte’s previous work leading the Federal Housing Finance Agency involved oversight responsibilities and management of a large federal organization, experience they argue prepares him to temporarily oversee another executive branch agency.
Political Battle Continues
Clinton’s latest remarks add to the growing political battle surrounding Trump’s national security appointments as Democrats continue to challenge several of the president’s personnel decisions.
With Clayton’s confirmation still pending, debate over Pulte’s temporary leadership is expected to continue in Washington, where supporters view the appointment as a routine transition while critics argue it raises legal and national security questions.
As the confirmation process unfolds, the controversy is likely to remain another flashpoint in the ongoing political divide between the Trump administration and its Democratic opponents.
