‘I don’t know anything,’ Oz questioned over William Pulte’s controversial appointment

WASHINGTON, DC: Amid widespread criticism over the appointment of William Pulte as the acting Director of National Intelligence, a CBS reporter pressed the White House and the CMS administrator for not taking questions on the newly announced appointment.

Dr Mehmet Oz,  who serves as the Administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), was holding a White House press briefing when Ed O’Keefe pressed on the White House’s stonewalling on Bill Pulte, pointing out that “it’s been four hours” since the announcement yet no question was answered.

Oz declines to answer on Pulte pick

O’Keefe pressed Dr Mehmet Oz on the non-traditional selection as reporters sought answers about a controversial appointment that has already drawn criticism for its qualifications and past controversies.

“Since you are speaking on behalf of the administration, part of the reason we’re asking about the president’s decision to appoint Bill Pulte to be the head or director of national intelligence, is it’s been four hours and we’ve been asking the White House why he is qualified to do so,” O’Keefe said.

“You are a heart surgeon, or a heart doctor? Would you recommend a patient go see someone who isn’t?”

In his response, Oz acknowledged the question but dodged an answer.

“You are asking the question with the premise that Bill Pulte is not qualified,” he said. “I don’t know anything about his situation, and I appreciate you’re wanting an answer. I’m not going to be the one giving it to you.”

Heinrich asks Oz to address concerns

Fox News’s Jacqui Heinrich also pressed Oz on Pulte, asking, “Back to Bill Pulte, but with the national security angle. The President has pushed very hard to renew FISA. Section 702 expires in ten days, just ahead of the World Cup. And there’s this heightened threat environment with the war in the Middle East.”

She further asked Oz if he had anything to say to allay the widespread concern over Pulte’s inexperience in the field and his past of weaponizing the position.

“We’ve heard all these Intel agencies talk about the threat environment these days and how people can be very concerned about it. On Capitol Hill, you’ve had lawmakers today raising concern about Bill Pulte. And, on the Democrat side, questioning his ability to carry out that role fairly and not weaponize it. What can you say about to allay their concerns,” Heinrich asked.

“And can you also answer a question that was posed by Susan Collins about whether Pulte has security clearance himself?”

Oz replied, “Ma’am. I don’t know anything more about Bill Pulte than you do. I did not think that was one of the questions that would come up here. I hadn’t even heard the news when I walked out.”

Trump appoints Pulte as intelligence director

President Donald J Trump has announced a sudden, high-profile administrative change by appointing William J Pulte, the current Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency and Chairman of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, as the Acting Director of National Intelligence.

The President asserted that Pulte's extensive background in managing volatile private and public financial sectors makes him fully qualified to oversee the nation's intelligence apparatus.

“William has deep experience managing the most sensitive matters in America, the safety and soundness of the Markets, and over 10 Trillion Dollars at Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac, a substantial increase from where it was just 12 months ago,” Trump wrote.