President Trump has appointed Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence, elevating a close political ally with no prior national security background to oversee the United States’ intelligence apparatus.
Trump announced the appointment Tuesday, saying Pulte would continue serving as director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency and chairman of mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac while taking on the intelligence role.
The president praised Pulte’s oversight of more than $10 trillion in housing-related assets, describing his financial management experience as a qualification for the position. Pulte’s appointment follows the departure of Tulsi Gabbard, who announced in May that she would step down. Gabbard cited her husband’s cancer diagnosis as the reason for her resignation, though reports also pointed to tensions between her office and the White House.
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Gabbard served as Director of National Intelligence, overseeing the coordination of 18 U.S. intelligence agencies and acting as the principal intelligence adviser to the president.
The unusual appointment of Pulte has drawn attention since his professional background has always centered on housing finance rather than intelligence or military affairs. The intelligence community has assumed an increasingly prominent role amid ongoing U.S. military operations, geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, and broader national security challenges. Pulte will now oversee coordination across the intelligence network while maintaining his existing responsibilities in housing finance.
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However, several media reports also pointed to growing friction between Gabbard and the White House over intelligence assessments and policy matters. Her departure created a leadership vacancy at a critical time for U.S. national security, prompting President Trump to appoint Bill Pulte as acting DNI pending a longer-term decision on the role.
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence coordinates the work of 18 U.S. intelligence agencies, including the Central Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency. The position plays a key role in assessing threats and providing intelligence to the president and other senior policymakers.
If Trump later nominates Pulte for the position permanently, he would require confirmation by the U.S. Senate.