WATCH: Senate Democratic leaders address Bill Pulte for DNI, 'anti-weaponization fund' in news conference

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer criticized President Donald Trump's decision to tap his housing finance director as acting director of national intelligence, saying Bill Pulte is "a partisan thug with no experience in intelligence."

Senate Democratic leaders are holding a news conference. Watch live in our video player above.

Sen. Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said in a lengthy statement that Pulte was picked because Trump "believes he will provide the narrative it wants, not the intelligence we need." He warned that a pick like this leaves Americans "vulnerable to a terrorist attack."

Rep. Jim Himes, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said "it is critical that Pulte go through a full security clearance process before he walks into the building."