President Trump's latest move has sent shockwaves through the nation's capital, with the appointment of Bill Pulte as Acting Director of National Intelligence sparking fierce opposition from the media, Democrats, and the intelligence establishment.
The reaction from these quarters is telling, as they are fiercely opposed to Pulte's plans to clean house at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
Pulte's decision to fire or reassign dozens of employees within days of taking over is a bold move to shrink what President Trump has called a bloated intelligence bureaucracy.
Anti-Pulte leaks have started pouring out of the intelligence community, with those who claim to be defending democracy running to the media to undermine the man tasked with reforming their agency.
These leaks are not an argument against Bill Pulte, but rather the strongest argument for him – they demonstrate the need for reform and accountability within the intelligence community.
The intelligence community was never intended to operate as an independent power center, but rather serve the American people.
Whenever someone comes along promising accountability, downsizing, and reform, the knives come out, and that's exactly what's happening with Pulte's appointment.
The media and Democrats are quick to label Pulte as "dangerous" and "unqualified," while Washington insiders are panicking.
Frankly, that makes me like the appointment even more – it's a strong indication that Pulte is the right person for the job, tasked with taking on the entrenched deep state.
The purge initiated by Pulte is necessary, and the intelligence establishment's terror at what could come next is a sign that something long overdue is finally happening.
