Trump says acting spy chief can declassify 2020 election records

President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that his acting spy chief possesses broad authority to declassify records, including any connected to the 2020 election, despite the official's short tenure. Trump appointed Bill Pulte, a political ally lacking national security experience, as acting director of national intelligence last month during a period of global tension.

“

Bill's there, just, you know, for maybe a month or two months or something. But while he's there, I said, 'You can declassify whatever you want.'

Following criticism of this appointment, Trump later nominated Jay Clayton, the top US attorney for Manhattan, but then postponed Clayton's confirmation hearing. Trump's stated reason was to pressure Congress into passing a strict voter identification bill.

"Bill's there, just, you know, for maybe a month or two months or something," Trump told reporters. "But while he's there, I said, 'You can declassify whatever you want.'" When asked if this included 2020 election records, he responded, "I told him you could do it, it's fair. You got to ask him."

“

I told him you could do it, it's fair. You got to ask him.

Trump, who has persistently made false claims of widespread fraud in US elections, continues to promote debunked theories. This occurs as NBC News reported a White House task force is compiling documents from the 2020 election for potential declassification. A White House official, speaking anonymously, stated, "As the most transparent president in history, President Trump is totally committed to sharing as much information with the public as possible."

“

As the most transparent president in history, President Trump is totally committed to sharing as much information with the public as possible.