President Trump has named Bill Pulte, the current head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, to serve as the acting Director of National Intelligence. Pulte, a private equity financier and member of a prominent home-building family, will take the helm of the nation’s intelligence apparatus following the departure of Tulsi Gabbard on June 30.
In his announcement, President Trump lauded Pulte’s performance in managing the $10 trillion portfolios of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, citing his ability to oversee sensitive market operations.
While Democrats and some establishment Republicans have voiced concerns regarding Pulte’s lack of a traditional intelligence background, the appointment signals a clear shift toward aggressive accountability.
Pulte has previously utilized his position at the FHFA to initiate criminal referrals regarding mortgage fraud, targeting figures such as Adam Schiff, Letitia James, Jerome Powell, and Lisa Cook.
While these efforts have drawn sharp criticism from political opponents who accuse him of weaponizing government authority, supporters view his willingness to challenge entrenched power structures as a necessary trait for overseeing the intelligence community.
The Government Accountability Office is currently reviewing the FHFA’s investigative processes, but Pulte remains in his dual roles as he steps into the DNI position. Under current law, his acting tenure is limited to 210 days, meaning his appointment will conclude in January 2027.
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