Trump Appoints FHFA Director Bill Pulte as Acting DNI

President Donald Trump appointed Bill Pulte, the Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), as acting Director of National Intelligence (DNI) in late May 2025, bypassing the Senate confirmation process required for a permanent DNI.

Pulte replaced Tulsi Gabbard, who announced her resignation effective June 30. He will retain his roles at FHFA and as chairman of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Appointment and Tenure

President Trump announced the appointment on social media, stating 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."

Trump later stated that Pulte's role is temporary, saying he is "somebody just to take it over for a little while" and that the administration is interviewing candidates for the permanent DNI position.

The previous DNI, Tulsi Gabbard, resigned, citing her husband's bone cancer treatment.

Trump had previously indicated that Principal Deputy DNI Aaron Lukas would serve as acting DNI after Gabbard's departure. The White House has not clarified when Pulte's tenure begins or whether Lukas will remain in his role.

President Trump has used acting appointments to bypass Senate confirmation during his term.

Qualifications and Background

Pulte has no prior professional experience in intelligence, espionage, military affairs, counterterrorism, or national security. The Director of National Intelligence is a Cabinet position created by the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, which requires the director to have "extensive national security expertise."

The DNI oversees and coordinates the nation's 18 intelligence agencies.

Pulte's nomination for FHFA director was confirmed by the Senate in March 2025 with a 56-43 vote, including three Democrats. Pulte left the board of his family's company, PulteGroup, in 2020.

Actions as FHFA Head

As FHFA director, Pulte sent criminal referrals to the Justice Department targeting several Democratic officials, including New York Attorney General Letitia James, Senator Adam Schiff, and Federal Reserve Board Governor Lisa Cook. These referrals resulted in no charges.

According to an internal complaint, Pulte improperly accessed mortgage records of James and other Democratic officials while at Fannie Mae.

A case against Letitia James was dismissed after a federal judge found the prosecutor was unlawfully installed. In December 2024, the Government Accountability Office launched an investigation into whether Pulte abused his position to target political enemies.

Pulte has championed a mortgage fraud case against Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, which is pending before the Supreme Court. Cook has denied wrongdoing. Trump later attempted to fire Cook.

Pulte proposed a 50-year mortgage and fired internal ethics watchdogs at Fannie Mae.

Political Reactions

Criticism of the Appointment

"He would not even qualify." — Senator Mark Warner (D-VA), ranking member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, citing lack of experience in military, Congress, intelligence community, or law enforcement.

Warner argued that Pulte was chosen "because the White House believes he will provide the narrative it wants, not the intelligence we need."

• Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) called Pulte a "partisan thug."
• Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) described Pulte as an "incendiary attack dog" and said he "doesn't have a prayer" of Senate confirmation as permanent DNI.
• Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) said Pulte is "not qualified."
• Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) stated, "We don't need a weaponized DNI."

Support for the Appointment

"A great guy who recognizes that the bureaucracy of the intel community must respond to the elected leadership." — Vice President JD Vance, defending the appointment.

Other Officials and Roles

Secretary of State Marco Rubio also serves as acting national security adviser and stepped down as acting archivist in February. Mehmet Oz, administrator of CMS, declined to comment on Pulte's qualifications.

Additional Context

Tulsi Gabbard had attended an FBI raid in January 2025 that seized records related to the 2020 election from the Fulton County Clerk's Office in Georgia. Gabbard told lawmakers that Trump requested her attendance and that she only observed.

According to reports, Roger Stone advocated for Pulte, hoping he would declassify documents supporting conspiracy theories about the 2020 election.

Journalist John Solomon will join the administration to work on "transparency" issues related to the 2016 and 2020 elections.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reportedly threatened to punch Pulte at a dinner in 2025.