Trump appoints housing regulator Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence following Gabbard's departure

President Trump appointed Bill Pulte, the head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, as acting director of national intelligence, replacing the resigned Tulsi Gabbard. The move draws sharp criticism as Pulte, 38, has no intelligence experience but has used his FHFA role to target Trump's political foes. Democrats call him a "partisan thug," while some Republicans express concern about a "weaponized DNI."

Pulte appointment as acting DNI

• ▪President Donald Trump appointed Bill Pulte as the acting director of national intelligence (DNI) on June 2, 2026
• ▪Bill Pulte is the current head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) and chairman of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
• ▪Bill Pulte will continue to serve in his housing finance roles while also serving as acting DNI

Gabbard resignation from DNI

• ▪Tulsi Gabbard stated she resigned due to her husband's cancer treatment, though one report cited friction with the White House
• ▪The appointment was made to replace Tulsi Gabbard, who resigned as DNI in May 2026

Pulte national security credentials

• ▪Bill Pulte, who is 38 years old, has no high-level national security or intelligence experience
• ▪The DNI position was created after the 9/11 attacks to coordinate the 18 agencies of the U.S. intelligence community

Pulte combative FHFA tenure

• ▪President Trump attempted to fire Lisa Cook from the Federal Reserve based on Bill Pulte's allegations, a case that went to the Supreme Court
• ▪Pulte’s referrals have not led to convictions. Reuters reported that a federal grand jury refused to indict Letitia James and that officials had not brought charges against Adam Schiff.
• ▪As FHFA director, Bill Pulte made criminal referrals for alleged mortgage fraud against several of President Trump's political opponents
• ▪Targets of Bill Pulte's referrals included NY AG Letitia James, Sen. Adam Schiff, and Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook

Democratic criticism of appointment

• ▪Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) said the choice shows President Trump wants an intelligence chief who will "shape intelligence around the president's wishes."
• ▪Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called Bill Pulte a "partisan thug with no experience in intelligence."

Trump loyalty prioritization

• ▪Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) stated, "we don’t need a weaponized DNI, we need professionals there."
• ▪John Thune also suggested Bill Pulte would face a "lengthy road ahead of him" if nominated for the permanent DNI role, which requires Senate confirmation
• ▪The appointment is widely viewed as President Trump prioritizing loyalty over relevant experience