Trump Names Bill Pulte Acting Director of National Intelligence, Replacing Tulsi Gabbard

President Donald Trump named Bill Pulte, the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, as acting Director of National Intelligence to replace Tulsi Gabbard, who has a last day of 30 June.

“Trump has appointed Bill Pulte, real estate executive and Trump loyalist, to serve as Acting Director of National Intelligence (DNI)”

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Trump said in a social media post that Pulte 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,” and he added that Pulte would “remain Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, and Chairman of Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac.”

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The BBC reported that the DNI role oversees 18 government intelligence agencies, and it said Pulte has no known background in intelligence.

Democrats and lawmakers criticized the move, with BBC quoting Sen. Mark Warner saying the president chose “an official who has demonstrated not just willingness but eagerness to use the authorities of government to pursue political retribution.”

Multiple outlets tied Pulte’s intelligence appointment to his housing-agency actions, including accusations that he used FHFA authority to target Trump’s perceived enemies through criminal referrals over mortgage fraud.

NPR reported that Pulte last year accused Federal Reserve Board of Governors member Lisa Cook of mortgage fraud, and it said Cook denied wrongdoing while Trump attempted to fire her from the board.

ABC News

The BBC said Pulte has been accused of using his role at the Federal Housing Finance Agency to target Trump’s perceived enemies by making criminal referrals over claims of mortgage fraud, and it listed targets including California Senator Adam Schiff and New York Democratic Attorney General Letitia James.

Al Jazeera described the appointment as controversial and said Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer called the new DNI a “partisan thug,” adding that “A guy who can file such baseless, political and outrageous charges against political office holders he doesn’t like can’t be entrusted to protect our national security.”

The appointment is temporary, with the BBC reporting that acting officials may only serve 210 days before they must be confirmed by the Senate, meaning Pulte’s posting will expire in late January 2027.

“United States President Donald Trump has appointed businessman and federal housing regulator Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence (DNI)”

Al Jazeera

CBS News said acting officials may serve for 210 days from the start of a vacancy and that the timeline means Pulte will be able to serve until Jan. 26, 2027.

Republican lawmakers warned that Pulte could face a difficult path to permanence, and the BBC quoted Texas Senator John Cornyn saying, “I don't see any evidence of his qualifications for that job, but I'm willing to listen.”

CNN added that Democrats asked the Government Accountability Office to examine whether Pulte “potentially misused federal authority and resources to publicly accuse prominent Democrats and President Donald Trump's perceived political enemies of mortgage fraud,” and it said the office confirmed it was investigating FHFA mortgage fraud investigation procedures and any recent changes in the process.