Trump says Pulte can declassify ‘whatever’ he wants, sparking fears of exposing intelligence secrets
Acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte attends a kick-off celebration for the "Great American State Fair" on the National Mall in Washington, DC, June 24, 2026. Jemal COUNTESS / AFP via Getty Images
ByDavid DiMolfetta,
Cybersecurity Reporter, Nextgov/FCW
July 1, 2026 03:04 PM ET
“If he doesn’t care about blowing up cyber exploits, putting foreign relationships at risk, or getting people killed, he could declassify a lot,” one former official said.
President Donald Trump said Wednesday that acting spy chief Bill Pulte can declassify “whatever” records he wants and can declassify “almost everything,” a sweeping green light that has alarmed former intelligence officials, who warn that careless releases could expose sensitive intelligence capabilities and sidestep standard review processes with other spy agencies.
Trump said Wednesday that acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte would only serve in the job for “a month or...
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