Rep. Keating Questions Secretary Rubio on National Security Appointments

During a House Committee on Foreign Affairs hearing, Representative Bill Keating (D-MA) expressed frustration with Secretary of State Marco Rubio regarding recent national security appointments. Keating praised Rubio's experience in the Senate but questioned the qualifications of Bill Pulte, appointed as acting director of national intelligence, asking Rubio if he had ever heard of him. Rubio responded that he had not. Keating criticized the appointment of Pulte, citing a lack of intelligence experience, and raised concerns about Elias Irizarry's appointment to a Pentagon counterterrorism team, referencing Irizarry's involvement in the January 6 Capitol riot. The exchange became tense as Keating accused Rubio of interrupting him during his questioning. Keating concluded by expressing disappointment in the current appointments and the handling of foreign policy issues, including support for Ukraine and operations in Iran. The hearing was part of Rubio's series of testimonies in Congress that day.