Trump says he is seeking permanent US intelligence chief with security experience

WASHINGTON - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he was looking for a permanent nominee who has experience in national security to head the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

Trump, in a post on Truth Social, added that he had asked Bill Pulte to immediately downsize the office and revert staff to their home agencies when he takes over as acting director on June 19.

"I have named William Pulte to be Acting Director of National Intelligence, who will take over on June 19th, and have asked him to execute the immediate and needed downsizing of the office, reverting staff to their home agencies," Trump wrote.

"At the same time, I am looking for a permanent ODNI Nominee with experience in National Security."

Trump also called on Congress to send him a short-term extension of a key surveillance authority, known as FISA Section 702, to provide time for the selection and confirmation of a permanent head of the agency.

Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act allows U.S. intelligence agencies to monitor emails and other communications of foreigners located outside the United States without individual judicial warrants. The authority is set to expire Friday.

(Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis; Editing by Ryan Patrick Jones; Editing by Doina Chiacu)

Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect.

This story was originally published June 10, 2026 at 11:30 AM.