Trump Appoints Housing Official Bill Pulte as Acting US Director of National Intelligence
US President Donald Trump has designated housing official Bill Pulte as the acting Director of National Intelligence (DNI), the nation's principal spy chief responsible for overseeing 18 government intelligence agencies. Mr. Pulte, who belongs to a prominent home-building family and works as a private equity financier, possesses no publicly known experience in intelligence. His temporary selection for the role has generated controversy among lawmakers.
Critics allege that Mr. Pulte has utilised his position as director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) to pursue individuals perceived as Trump's enemies by initiating criminal referrals based on claims of mortgage fraud. These alleged targets include California Senator Adam Schiff and New York Democratic Attorney General Letitia James. None of these cases have resulted in successful prosecutions, and the Government Accountability Office is currently scrutinising the FHFA's investigative processes.
Donald Trump announced the appointment on his social media platform, commending Mr. Pulte for his oversight of government-controlled mortgage entities Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Senator Mark Warner, the leading Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, condemned the decision, stating that it 'speaks volumes about what this president expects from the nation's top intelligence official'. Senator John Cornyn, a Republican, also expressed reservations, noting he saw 'no evidence of his qualifications for that job'.
Outgoing Director Tulsi Gabbard is scheduled to depart on 30 June. As an acting official, Mr. Pulte's tenure is limited to 210 days without Senate confirmation, meaning his posting would conclude in late January 2027.
