President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that Bill Pulte, the current director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, will serve as the acting director of national intelligence. Pulte will replace Tulsi Gabbard, who is set to depart the role at the end of June, while concurrently retaining his existing housing and mortgage regulatory positions.
A Dual-Role Appointment Amidst Leadership Transition
The decision to tap Bill Pulte for the nation’s top intelligence post marks a significant expansion of his current administrative portfolio. According to reporting from NBC News, the president confirmed that Pulte will continue to lead the Federal Housing Finance Agency and serve as chairman of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac throughout his tenure as acting director of national intelligence.
Pulte, who has led the housing agency since his Senate confirmation in March 2025, was praised by the president for his financial oversight experience.
"William 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, a substantial increase from where it was just 12 months ago.
The appointment comes as the intelligence community prepares for a transition following Tulsi Gabbard’s announcement that she plans to resign from the DNI role later this month. While the director of national intelligence is typically a Cabinet-level position requiring Senate confirmation, the use of an acting designation allows the administration to bypass the formal confirmation process for the time being. It remains unclear whether Pulte is intended to be a permanent candidate for the role or a short-term placeholder.
Political Friction and Congressional Reaction
Pulte’s tenure at the Federal Housing Finance Agency has been marked by a series of aggressive actions against political figures, an approach that has drawn sharp criticism from lawmakers. As CNBC reported, Pulte has been instrumental in filing criminal referrals against various officials, including Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook. The referral, which alleged mortgage fraud, resulted in an attempt by the administration to terminate Cook’s tenure—a move that is currently being contested in the Supreme Court.
Congressional Democrats and some Republicans expressed immediate concern over the appointment, citing Pulte’s lack of traditional intelligence background. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D.
"We don’t need a weaponized DNI, we need professionals there.
Thune added that he is seeking additional information regarding the administration’s rationale for the selection. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., took a more combative stance, describing Pulte as "a partisan thug with no experience in intelligence" in a post on X. Schumer further characterized the move as an action that would "make our country less safe."
Institutional Concerns Regarding Intelligence Oversight
The scrutiny surrounding Pulte’s appointment extends beyond his political history to the core functions of the intelligence community. Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, issued a stern statement highlighting the statutory requirements for the position.
Warner emphasized that the role of the DNI was established in the wake of the 9/11 attacks specifically to ensure the security of the nation through professional, non-partisan intelligence gathering.
"The concern is not only that Mr. Pulte lacks the ‘extensive national security experience’ required by statute for the job, which was created after intelligence failures led to the deaths of thousands of Americans on 9/11. It is that he appears to have been selected precisely because the White House believes he will provide the narrative it wants, not the intelligence we need." Sen.
Pulte’s record at the housing agency includes notable actions against other high-profile Democrats. In May 2025, he issued a criminal referral to the Justice Department concerning Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., alleging mortgage fraud. Additionally, Pulte targeted New York Attorney General Letitia James with similar allegations of insurance fraud earlier this year, though her legal team has dismissed those claims as "baseless."
Uncertainty Over Administrative Logistics
The transition timeline remains in flux. Prior to the announcement of Pulte’s appointment, the White House had indicated that Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence Aaron Lukas was slated to take over as acting DNI following Gabbard’s departure.
As of Tuesday, the White House has not clarified whether Lukas will remain in his current capacity or how the responsibilities will be divided under Pulte’s leadership. The lack of clarity regarding the operational structure of the intelligence community, coupled with the political controversy surrounding the nominee, suggests a contentious period ahead for the intelligence oversight committees in the Senate.
