WorldU.S. President Donald Trump has tapped Bill Pulte to be acting director of national intelligence, putting a real estate scion and fierce Trump loyalist in a key national security post as the U.S. remains at war with Iran.Trump says Pulte, who has encouraged investigations of president's critics, to also remain in his housing postThe Associated Press · Posted: Jun 02, 2026 12:30 PM EDT | Last Updated: 1 hour agoListen to this articleEstimated 5 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency Bill Pulte walks outside the White House on Sept. 2, 2025, in Washington, D.C. U.S. President Donald Trump cited Pulte's experiences on housing policy as helping qualify him for the job of co-ordinating intelligence from 18 government agencies. (Mark Schiefelbein/The Associated Press)U.S. President Donald Trump has tapped Bill Pulte to be the acting director of national intelligence, putting a real estate scion and fierce Trump loyalist in a key national security post as the U.S. remains at war with Iran. Trump made the surprise announcement Tuesday on social media that Pulte would be replacing Tulsi Gabbard, the former Hawaii congresswoman who had served as the director of national intelligence (DNI). Trump said Pulte will keep his other position as head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA).The Republican president cited Pulte's work at the FHFA and his role as chair of the mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac as indicating that his real estate work would overlap with the skills needed to co-ordinate 18 federal agencies tasked with foreign and domestic security."William has deep experience managing the most sensitive matters in America, the safety and soundness of the Markets," Trump posted on Truth Social.Tulsi Gabbard steps down as U.S. intel chief, citing husband's cancer diagnosisBecause Pulte is being appointed in an acting capacity, and was confirmed by the Senate in his housing role, he won't face an imminent confirmation hearing in that chamber. Trump has been accused by his critics of abusing the rules surrounding the appointment of acting officials in both his first and second administrations, with some remaining in their roles beyond a mandated 210 days."I don't see any evidence of qualifications for that job, but as you know, the Senate doesn't have a role to play in acting [appointments]," Sen. John Cornyn of Texas said of Trump's choice.Other Republicans also voiced skepticism about the choice.Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana said Pulte "doesn't seem qualified.""Beyond his absence of apparent qualifications, maybe there's something I don't know about," Cassidy said.Schumer slams 'partisan thug'It's unclear what national security expertise Pulte brings to bear as the U.S. faces conflict in the Middle East, has tried to mediate an end to the war between Russia and Ukraine and manages the emergence of artificial intelligence as a military tool.As the grandson of the founder of PulteGroup, one of the country's largest homebuilders, Pulte has cut a combative streak on social media and used his post at the FHFA to attack perceived opponents of the Trump administration.His time overseeing mortgage finance has been linked with criminal referrals for mortgage fraud by public officials Trump sought to punish, including New York Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat; Sen. Adam Schiff of California; and Lisa Cook, a board member of the U.S. Federal Reserve, who was nominated by a Democratic president, Joe Biden."Bill Pulte is a partisan thug with no experience in intelligence," Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a social media post. "He is another unqualified Trump appointee that will make our country less safe."WATCH | Even some Republicans have balked at controversial Trump fund:Trump's new $1.776B Anti-Weaponization Fund is a wild ride | About ThatMay 20|Duration 12:44The Trump administration set up a roughly $1.8 billion US fund to support Americans facing domestic political persecution — but there are questions about accountability and who may benefit most from the cash. Andrew Chang explains how the Anti-Weaponization Fund originates with U.S. President Donald Trump's own lawsuit, and the concerns about a conflict of interest.