« Reply #63 on: Thursday, Jun 11, 2026 05:09 pm »
Scoop: Pulte sought Gabbard's early removal as intel czarhttps://www.axios.com/2026/06/11/pulte-gabbard-removal-intelTulsi Gabbard, the outgoing director of national intelligence, got an unexpected call Tuesday from her controversial successor, Bill Pulte: "Today is your last day," he said.
Gabbard was surprised. She had announced she was leaving at month's end, not Tuesday.
"I need to hear it from the president or the White House," Gabbard told Pulte, two officials briefed on the discussion told Axios.
(snip)
After the conversation with Pulte, Gabbard got ahold of Trump, who didn't request her immediate resignation. "What day works best for you?" the president asked, according to one of the sources.
Gabbard said June 19, and Trump then posted a statement on his Truth Social account announcing her new exit date.
He also confirmed that Pulte would lead the Office of the Director of National Intelligence until he finds a nominee whom the Senate will confirm.
(snip)
Pulte's phone call to Gabbard came on a day when top Trump advisers held a meeting in the White House's Situation Room to try to find a solution to the administration's standoff with Congress over renewing the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).
Trump's appointment of Pulte led to a bipartisan revolt in Congress, which has balked at reauthorizing a key federal surveillance law because of concerns about Pulte's lack of qualifications.
(snip)
Pulte was able to persuade Trump to pick him as Gabbard's successor by promising to fire more ODNI staff, mainly officials who couldn't cut it at other agencies and alleged "deep state" bureaucrats deemed sympathetic to Democrats, a senior administration official said.
Pulte's family, Florida-based developers, have been friends with Trump for years and belong to his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Fla
EXCERPT
This creep won't last. Probably won't even get confirmed.

Logged
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