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Trump names housing official as acting DNI
US President Donald Trump has selected Bill Pulte, a housing finance executive with no intelligence background, to temporarily lead the nation's 18 spy agencies, drawing sharp criticism from lawmakers in both parties.
Who is Bill Pulte?
Pulte, a private equity financier and member of a prominent home-building family, currently serves as director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) and chairs government-controlled mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. His appointment as acting Director of National Intelligence (DNI) takes effect after outgoing director Tulsi Gabbard's final day on June 30.
Trump announced the decision on his social media platform Tuesday, praising Pulte's management of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which oversee over $10 trillion in assets. The president described him as experienced in handling "the most sensitive matters in America."
Controversial track record
Pulte's tenure at the FHFA has been marked by allegations of political retribution. He has pursued criminal referrals for mortgage fraud against Trump's perceived adversaries, including California Senator Adam Schiff, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and former Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.
None of these cases resulted in prosecutions. The Government Accountability Office is currently investigating whether the FHFA altered its fraud investigation processes under Pulte's leadership.
Bipartisan criticism
Democrats swiftly condemned the appointment. Senator Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, called it a sign that Trump seeks an intelligence chief willing to "pursue political retribution" rather than provide independent analysis.
"This appointment speaks volumes about what this president expects from the nation's top intelligence official."
Senator Mark Warner (D-VA)
Schiff, one of Pulte's targets, accused him on social media of having "politicized and weaponized the housing agencies" and warned he would do the same in the intelligence community.
Republicans also expressed skepticism. Texas Senator John Cornyn, who recently lost his primary race after Trump backed his opponent, told reporters he saw "no evidence of [Pulte's] qualifications" for the role but remained open to discussion.
Temporary role with tight deadline
Under federal law, acting officials can serve for a maximum of 210 days without Senate confirmation. Pulte's tenure would expire in late January 2027, shortly after the next presidential inauguration.
The DNI oversees the CIA, FBI, NSA, and 15 other intelligence agencies, making it one of the most sensitive positions in the US government.
