Mike Johnson attempts to defend Trump after president says ‘I love the inflation’ – live

11.19 EDTTrump says Bill Pulte will ‘execute the immediate downsizing’ of intelligence community in temporary roleAs Donald Trump presses on with his contentious plan to install Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence on 19 June, he has reiterated that he has asked Pulte “to execute the immediate and needed downsizing of the office, reverting staff to their home agencies”.In a post on Truth Social moments ago (despite being due at a bill signing), the president added: “At the same time, I am looking for a permanent ODNI Nominee with experience in National Security.”He went on: “I am asking Congress to send me a short-term extension of FISA to provide time for the selection and confirmation of a permanent Head of the Agency.”Democratic lawmakers have said Pulte’s appointment…

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