U.S. President Donald Trump has appointed housing official Bill Pulte as Acting Director of National Intelligence (DNI) following the resignation of Tulsi Gabbard, who stepped down from the administration to be with her husband as he battles a rare form of bone cancer.
Trump announced the appointment in a post on Truth Social, naming Pulte, the Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) and Chairman of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, to temporarily oversee the U.S. intelligence community.
"I am appointing the Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, and Chairman of Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac, William J. Pulte, to serve as Acting Director of National Intelligence," Trump wrote.
The appointment has drawn scrutiny because Pulte has no prior experience in national security, intelligence, defense, or foreign policy. Critics have questioned the decision to place a housing and financial regulator in charge of the nation's intelligence agencies.
Pulte, 38, has previously made headlines for urging the Department of Justice to investigate several prominent Trump critics over alleged mortgage fraud. Those targeted included New York Attorney General Letitia James, Representative Eric Swalwell, Senator Adam Schiff, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, and Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook.
All of the individuals denied wrongdoing, and no court has found them guilty of the allegations raised against them.
Despite concerns surrounding the appointment, Trump praised Pulte's leadership abilities and described him as someone with extensive experience handling sensitive matters. The president said Pulte will continue serving as Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency and Chairman of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac while also taking on the role of Acting Director of National Intelligence.
The leadership change comes after Tulsi Gabbard resigned from the administration to focus on her family. Gabbard's departure created an unexpected vacancy at the top of the U.S. intelligence apparatus, prompting Trump to select Pulte as her interim replacement.
The appointment places one of Trump's most trusted administration officials in a key national security position at a time when the United States faces ongoing intelligence challenges involving China, Russia, the Middle East, cybersecurity threats, and emerging technologies.