Trump appoints Bill Pulte as intelligence director despite lack of national security experience

President Donald Trump appointed Federal Housing Finance Agency chief Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence on Tuesday, replacing Tulsi Gabbard, who resigned in late May.

Pulte, 38, has no national security experience, despite a legal requirement that the director of national intelligence possess "extensive national security expertise."

Trump said Pulte would continue to lead the housing agency and oversee mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac alongside his new intelligence role.

Who is Bill Pulte and why is the appointment controversial?

Pulte is the heir to a home-building fortune and an outspoken public ally of Trump, known for publicly targeting the president's political opponents.

He has accused Democratic Senator Adam Schiff and New York Attorney General Letitia James of falsifying documents on mortgage applications.

The Wall Street Journal reported an internal complaint at Fannie Mae alleging Pulte improperly accessed the mortgage records of James and other Democratic officials.

What did Democratic lawmakers say about the Pulte appointment?

Senator Mark Warner, vice chair of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, said Pulte appears to have been chosen to provide the narrative the White House wants rather than the intelligence the country needs.

Senator Elizabeth Warren said Pulte had spent the past year abusing his authority to target the president's political opponents. Both cited his lack of relevant experience and his record of political retribution as disqualifying.

What else has Pulte done in his existing government roles?

Pulte has championed a mortgage fraud case against Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, on the basis of which Trump attempted to fire her.

That case is currently before the Supreme Court. He has also fired internal ethics watchdogs at Fannie Mae who were investigating his allies, framing those dismissals as part of Trump's effort to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion policies.

Why did Tulsi Gabbard leave the intelligence director role?

Gabbard resigned in late May after a tenure that saw her appear to be at odds with Trump over his war on Iran. She had herself been a controversial pick for the DNI position. Her departure opened the role that Trump has now filled with Pulte on an acting basis.

What is Pulte's standing within Trump's circle?

Despite his loyalty to Trump, Pulte has drawn criticism from within the president's inner circle. US media report that he has fallen out with several figures close to Trump.

The Wall Street Journal and Politico both reported that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent threatened to punch Pulte at a private club dinner in 2025.