Profiles in Cowardice: GOP Senators Already Turning on Acting DNI Chief Bill Pulte as Democrat Senator Mark Warner Huddles with John Thune (VIDEO) Key Republican Senators, including Majority Leader John Thune, have expressed skepticism and declined to support Bill Pulte’s appointment as acting Director of National Intelligence, with some questioning his qualifications. Democrats, led by Senator Mark Warner, are leveraging this opposition, threatening to withhold support for FISA reauthorization unless President Trump reverses the decision. This political maneuvering complicates efforts to pass FISA legislation before its deadline.

• Senate Majority Leader John Thune and other GOP Senators have expressed reservations about President Trump’s appointee for acting DNI, Bill Pulte.
• Senators like Thune and Thom Tillis have questioned Pulte’s qualifications and the vetting process for the appointment.
• Democratic Senator Mark Warner has linked Democratic support for FISA reauthorization to the reversal of Pulte’s appointment.
• Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer also privately indicated that Pulte’s appointment makes passing a FISA deal more difficult.
• The article suggests that Thune might need significant Democratic support to pass FISA reauthorization, making the threat impactful.