President Donald Trump has appointed Bill Pulte, the head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, as acting director of national intelligence, replacing Tulsi Gabbard following her resignation in late May. Gabbard’s tenure had already drawn scrutiny, with reports suggesting tensions with Trump over policy differences, including the war in Iran.
The Director of National Intelligence oversees the US intelligence community and serves as the president’s chief adviser on intelligence matters. The role is legally expected to be filled by someone with extensive national security experience, a requirement critics say Pulte does not meet.
Announcing the appointment on social media, Trump praised Pulte’s background, saying he “has deep experience managing the most sensitive matters in America, the safety and soundness of the Markets.” He also confirmed that Pulte will continue in his existing roles overseeing major housing finance institutions, including Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Pulte, 38, has been widely described in US media as a close Trump ally and a political enforcer who has frequently taken public positions against figures aligned with the Democratic Party. He has accused Senator Adam Schiff and New York Attorney General Letitia James of wrongdoing linked to mortgage documentation.
