Trump's appointment of Bill Pulte as DNI director follows totalitarian pattern of elevating unqualified loyalists
Source: David Frum. "Why the Worst Get on Top - The Atlantic." June 2, 2026. www.theatlantic.com
The Gist
Trump picked Bill Pulte to run national intelligence even though he's completely unqualified and has a history of abusing his power to go after Trump's enemies. This follows a predictable pattern where authoritarian leaders choose loyal people willing to break rules rather than competent people who might resist.
Conclusion
Trump's appointment of Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence is both dangerous and predictable because it follows the totalitarian pattern of elevating unqualified individuals who are willing to do immoral things in service of the leader
Premises
- Bill Pulte lacks the essential qualifications for DNI director, having no intelligence background or national-security expertise
- Pulte has demonstrated willingness to abuse prosecutorial powers for Trump's vindictive purposes, as shown by his selective referrals for criminal prosecution while at FHFA
- According to Hayek's analysis in 'The Road to Serfdom,' totalitarian leaders deliberately choose assistants who are 'prepared to break every moral rule' to achieve the leader's ends
- Trump aspires to cripple the rule of law and proper functioning of institutions at every opportunity
- The DNI position requires judgment, wisdom, expertise, and integrity to protect America from security threats, making Pulte's appointment particularly dangerous
Assumptions
- Hayek's analysis of totalitarian leadership selection applies to Trump's governing approach
- Past behavior (Pulte's actions at FHFA) predicts future behavior in the DNI role
- Qualifications and expertise matter for effective national security leadership
- Trump's appointments are strategic choices rather than random selections