Leader Schumer Floor Remarks On Trump Naming Bill Pulte As Acting Director Of National Intelligence

Washington D.C. - Today, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) spoke on the Senate floor on Trump's appointment of Bill Pulte as acting Director of National Intelligence, arguing he is another puppet placed to serve the President, not the American people. Below are Senator Schumer's remarks, which can also be viewed here.

Trump's appointment of Bill Pulte to serve as acting Director of National Intelligence is another Trump low.

A guy who can file such baseless, political, and outrageous charges against political office holders he doesn't like can't be entrusted to protect our national security.

Pulte's already proven himself willing to act as a Trump puppet, and now Donald Trump wants to put him in charge of the nation's intelligence, a place where integrity is demanded. A man who doesn't have an ounce of integrity is being put in that position that demands total integrity by Donald Trump.

The Director of National Intelligence is supposed to speak truth to power - but Donald Trump appears to have chosen Pulte because he speaks power's truth instead.

Americans need an intelligence chief loyal to the facts, the intelligence, the security of the nation - not to the political interests of one man.

At a time of growing threats around the world, this [appointment] raises a fundamental question: is the president looking for independent intelligence, or political validation?

His fiascos in foreign policy, most recently in Iran, show he doesn't listen to facts or intelligence and he's going to get even more trouble with Bill Pulte in this very sensitive job.

The Intelligence Community exists to protect the American people - not to serve as another instrument of presidential retribution.

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