Trump's USA

The President's Team
Trump wants Bill Pulte to start firing people

US President Donald Trump has asked his choice for acting director of national intelligence, Bill Pulte, to initiate cuts within the American intelligence apparatus. The president says this in an interview with the Wall Street Journal.

– I would like to see it smaller. I think there are a lot of people there who shouldn't be there, Trump says.

Pulte was appointed by Trump earlier this week. Since Trump has appointed him acting director, no confirmation from the Senate is required. Pulte can therefore stay in the post for up to 210 days, something Trump highlights as an advantage.

– You are less tied down. It gives you more power, in a way, for a limited period, the president says.

Trump's Choice Raises Questions: "Don't Know Anything About Him"

American politicians on both sides of Congress are expressing dissatisfaction with Donald Trump's choice of Bill Pulte as the new acting director of intelligence.

Senate Majority Leader, Republican John Thune, says that the United States does not currently need a politicized intelligence director, writes The Hill.

- If he is nominated to permanently hold the position, he will have to go through a confirmation process in the Senate, with hearings and everything else that goes with it. So we'll see, says Thune.

Jim Himes, a Democratic member of the House of Representatives, who sits on the intelligence committee, said in a statement that Pulte has the potential "to be a disaster for the national security of the United States," reports the New York Times.

Republican Senator Susan Collins, who also sits on the committee, said that she does not know whether Pulte has any experience in national security or whether he has ever undergone a security clearance.

– I really don't know anything about him, she says.

American public opinion
Record high dissatisfaction with Trump among US voters

American voters' trust in Donald Trump has reached a new low. This is shown by The Economist's ongoing survey, which is produced in collaboration with Yougov.

In the survey, 35 percent of those surveyed say they are satisfied with the president's work, while 60 percent are dissatisfied. This is the largest gap measured for a president since the measurement series began in 2009.

Dissatisfaction with how Trump handles issues of inflation and prices is particularly high

Trump critics indicted
Trump-critical ex-advisor Bolton expected to plead guilty

Donald Trump's former national security adviser John Bolton is expected to plead guilty to mishandling classified documents, several media outlets report. The plea is part of a deal with the Justice Department that means Bolton could have a potential prison sentence reduced or avoided altogether.

However, he is expected to pay more than two million dollars in fines, a source told the AP.

After his time as Trump's adviser, Bolton has instead become one of the president's most prominent critics. He is one of several Trump critics who have been put on trial during his term.