Mitch McConnell statement suggests he considers Bill Pulte unfit for national intelligence director role – US politics live

• 01Mitch McConnell released a statement suggesting Donald Trump's pick for acting director of national intelligence, Bill Pulte, is not qualified for the role
• 02McConnell stated: 'Very few Senate-confirmable positions come with statutory eligibility requirements. There are one of them' regarding the director of national intelligence position
• 03McConnell said: 'Anyone performing this role of such immense public trust must have the extensive national security experience required by statute, and no nominee who falls short of this requirement will earn my vote'
• 04McConnell indicated he would not vote for Pulte to serve as DNI in a permanent capacity
• 05McConnell was the only Republican to vote against confirming Tulsi Gabbard as DNI, citing her 'alarming lapses of judgment'
• 06McConnell stated regarding Gabbard: 'When a nominee's record proves them unworthy of the highest public trust, and when their command of relevant policy falls short of the requirements of their office, the Senate should withhold its consent'

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Republican Senator Mitch McConnell released a statement opposing Donald Trump's pick of Bill Pulte for acting director of national intelligence, stating that the role requires extensive national security experience mandated by statute and that he will not vote for any nominee who falls short of this requirement. McConnell's statement echoes his position on former DNI nominee Tulsi Gabbard, whom he was the only Republican to vote against, citing her lapses of judgment and insufficient policy knowledge.