Rep. Jason Crow says he's worried "Americans are at risk" with Pulte as acting DNI

Democratic Rep. Jason Crow voiced significant concerns Sunday about Bill Pulte's role as acting director of national intelligence, stating he worries "Americans are at risk" under his leadership. Crow, a member of the House Intelligence Committee, described Pulte as incompetent and a "political attack dog" whose primary qualification is loyalty to President Trump.

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I'm just more worried day-to-day that Americans are at risk because we have someone who's incompetent at the head of this agency.

Pulte assumed the acting DNI role on Friday, sparking considerable pushback in Congress. His appointment followed Tulsi Gabbard's resignation from the post. Democrats, joined by some Republicans, have questioned the selection due to Pulte's background in housing finance rather than national security. This opposition contributed to Democrats voting against an extension of a warrantless overseas surveillance program earlier this month.

Crow highlighted the critical nature of the DNI position, which oversees intelligence agencies and is legally required to possess significant intelligence experience to ensure national safety. "This is a really important position. This sits atop our intelligence agencies, and by law, Congress mandated that this person have significant intelligence experience because they have to make sure that we're keeping Americans safe, which is not what Bill Pulte is capable of doing," Crow said.

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This is a really important position. This sits atop our intelligence agencies, and by law, Congress mandated that this person have significant intelligence experience because they have to make sure that we're keeping Americans safe, which is not what Bill Pulte is capable of doing.

The controversy surrounding Pulte's appointment has complicated efforts to reauthorize Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). While intelligence officials deem the program vital for national security, Democrats have refused to extend it without stricter safeguards, citing concerns about potential warrantless surveillance of Americans' communications. Crow asserted that trading constitutional rights and privacy for a temporary program extension is unacceptable.

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I know how important it is, but I'm unwilling to trade Americans' constitutional rights, privacy and essential civil liberties for temporary extension to this program. That's what this administration is asking us to do. They say, 'give up your constitutional rights, give up Americans' rights and privacy, and we'll just make sure we keep you protected.'