Cassidy: Pulte not 'competent' for intelligence director role

Key points

• U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) speaks as U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F.
• Kennedy Jr., testifies before a Senate Finance Committee hearing on President Donald Trump's 2026 health care agenda, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., September 4, 2025. Federal Housing Finance Agency chief Bill Pulte does not appear to be "competent" to serve as acting director of national intelligence, outgoing Republican Sen.
• Bill Cassidy said during an interview Tuesday at CNBC's CEO Council Summit.
• Cassidy, who recently failed to qualify for a runoff in Louisiana's Republican primary after President Donald Trump endorsed one of his challengers, Rep.
• Julia Letlow, R-La, said his Senate colleagues were taken aback by the president's appointment of Pulte as spy chief on Tuesday morning.