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United States President Donald Trump has named Bill Pulte as acting Director of National Intelligence (DNI), entrusting the leadership of the American intelligence community to a political ally who has no experience in the field of national security.
The announcement was made Tuesday via the Truth Social platform, where Trump said Pulte will temporarily replace Tulsi Gabbard, who will leave office on June 30. Pulte will continue to simultaneously lead the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) and oversee mortgage financing giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Trump praised Pulte's experience in managing financial institutions and overseeing assets worth over $10 trillion, arguing that he has managed sensitive issues of national importance.
The appointment follows the departure of Tulsi Gabbard, who had served as Director of National Intelligence since February 2025. Reuters previously reported that her departure was related to disagreements with the White House, while Gabbard herself has stated that the decision was influenced by her husband's cancer diagnosis.
As acting director of national intelligence, Pulte will oversee 18 US intelligence agencies, including the CIA and the National Security Agency (NSA), which operate with a combined budget of more than $115 billion for fiscal year 2026.
His appointment comes at a challenging period for American foreign policy, as Washington grapples with conflict in the Middle East, the war in Ukraine and strategic rivalry with China.
While running the FHFA, Pulte has become known for his accusations against several Democratic figures, including New York Attorney General Letitia James, Senator Adam Schiff and Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, who he accused of mortgage fraud. All have denied the allegations, while authorities have not filed criminal charges against Schiff and a federal grand jury declined to indict James.
Pulte's appointment has drawn sharp criticism from Democrats in Congress. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called him a "convinced partisan," while Senator Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said Pulte's selection raises concerns about the independence of the intelligence community.
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