Trump snubs Bill Pulte for permanent DNI — and selects new pick with his own baggage

President Donald Trump announced his nominee to be the next director of national intelligence on Thursday, snubbing Bill Pulte, who had been placed in the position as the acting director.

Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform that he was nominating "highly respected Jay Clayton, former Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the former Head of Sullivan & Cromwell, one of the most prominent and successful Law Firms anywhere in the World, and the current United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, to be the next Director of National Intelligence and, importantly, to serve in my Cabinet."

"Few people anywhere in the Legal Community are respected at the level of Jay. I encourage the United States Senate to confirm Jay as soon as possible," Trump wrote.

Former Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard reportedly received a call from Pulte, the Federal Housing Finance Agency director, essentially telling her Trump was firing her. The move came as a shock to Gabbard.

Trump's decision to place Pulte in the temporary role has led to criticism, even among conservatives, as Pulte has no experience in national security and a track record of abusing his office to go after the president's political enemies.

Clayton has defended Trump's $1.8 billion slush fund and has raised unfounded fraud concerns around the California elections. He has also said that Trump was wronged in criminal prosecutions against him.