Pulte Takes Over as Acting Director
President Trump appointed Bill Pulte, director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, as acting director of national intelligence on Tuesday, replacing Tulsi Gabbard, who announced her resignation last month due to her husband's bone cancer diagnosis. Gabbard is set to leave her post on June 30. Trump said in a social media post that Pulte 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."
Pulte will oversee 18 intelligence agencies, including the CIA and the National Security Agency, while remaining director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency and chairman of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. As acting director, Pulte can serve until January 26, 2027, under a federal law allowing acting officials to serve for 210 days from the start of a vacancy. The role does not require Senate confirmation in an acting capacity, though Trump has not indicated whether he will nominate Pulte or someone else for permanent appointment.
A Record of Targeting Political Opponents
Pulte has built prominence in the Trump administration by launching investigations into Democrats and administration critics over allegations of mortgage fraud. He sent criminal referrals to the Justice Department against Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, New York Attorney General Letitia James, Senator Adam Schiff, and former Representative Eric Swalwell. All four have denied wrongdoing.
In March, Pulte made two criminal referrals against James alleging insurance fraud, several months after a federal grand jury rejected an indictment against her in a previous case. James' lawyer, Abbe D. Lowell, called the allegations "baseless." In May 2025, Pulte sent a criminal referral against Schiff over mortgage fraud allegations that ultimately stalled. The Justice Department had at one point investigated whether Pulte and his team were interfering in ongoing investigations, though Pulte has not been accused of wrongdoing.
Democrats on Capitol Hill asked the Government Accountability Office to examine whether Pulte misused federal authority and resources. The office confirmed in December that it was investigating FHFA's mortgage fraud investigation procedures and any recent changes in the process, with results expected in "late 2026 or early 2027."
Republican Senators Express Concern
Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters, "we don't need a weaponized director of national intelligence" when asked about Pulte's appointment, without directly criticizing Pulte. Republican Senator John Cornyn of Texas, who sits on the Senate Intelligence Committee, told reporters, "I see no evidence of any qualifications for that job." Independent Senator Angus King of Maine said, "By any objective assessment—in terms of experience, expertise, background—this appointment makes no sense."
Pulte was confirmed as FHFA director in March 2025 in a 56-43 vote, with three Democrats voting to approve him: Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland, Ruben Gallego of Arizona, and Elissa Slotkin of Michigan.
Democrats Warn of Politicized Intelligence
Senator Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, issued a lengthy statement opposing the appointment. "Rather than selecting a respected national security professional capable of delivering independent judgments, the president has chosen an official who has demonstrated not just willingness but eagerness to use the authorities of government to pursue political retribution," Warner said. He added that Pulte "will be willing to shape intelligence around the president's wishes, regardless of the cost to the American people."
Warner emphasized that Pulte was "chosen for his willingness to advance the president's political agenda rather than his experience." He warned that "that is how intelligence becomes politicized, how inconvenient facts disappear, how agencies charged with protecting our democracy instead become tools to manipulate it, and how Americans are left more vulnerable to a terrorist attack."
A Pattern of Multiple Roles
Pulte joins a growing list of Trump officials holding multiple positions simultaneously. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also serves as national security adviser. Sean Duffy serves as transportation secretary and previously served as acting administrator of NASA. Todd Blanche is the acting attorney general and the acting librarian of Congress. This concentration of roles reflects Trump's approach to staffing his administration with trusted loyalists.
The sources also report that Pulte targeted former Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell with mortgage fraud allegations. All targets have denied wrongdoing.