President Trump has named William Pulte, the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), to serve as the acting head of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), a move that places a political ally with no national security experience atop the U.S. intelligence community.
Pulte replaces Tulsi Gabbard, who resigned last month. In announcing the appointment, Trump praised Pulte's management of what he called "the most sensitive matters in America"—specifically the housing finance system—and noted his oversight of over $10 trillion in assets at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. "During this period, he will remain Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, and Chairman of Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac," Trump wrote on his social media platform.
The selection is highly unusual for multiple reasons. Pulte, a former construction company owner and private equity executive, has no high-level background in intelligence or national security. His appointment as acting director also signals that he would likely face steep hurdles in winning Senate confirmation for the permanent role, which requires a two-thirds vote in the chamber.
Under the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act, the DNI serves as the principal intelligence adviser to the president and coordinates the work of more than a dozen agencies, including the CIA, NSA, and FBI. It is rare for anyone holding that post to simultaneously head another federal agency, as Pulte will continue to lead the FHFA.
Pulte has drawn attention for directing referrals of several of Trump's political adversaries for prosecution on allegations of mortgage fraud. Among those he has targeted are Federal Reserve Board Governor Lisa Cook, Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA), former Representative Eric Swalwell (D-CA), and New York Attorney General Letitia James (D). These moves have fueled criticism that Pulte is using his position to pursue partisan grievances.
This appointment comes amid broader shifts in the Trump administration's national security posture. In a related development, the president has been reshaping his intelligence team, with other key figures like Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Attorney General Pam Bondi facing scrutiny on Capitol Hill as primary elections open in six states.
The decision to install Pulte as acting DNI also reflects Trump's pattern of bypassing traditional confirmation processes. The president has increasingly relied on acting officials to fill senior roles, a practice that has drawn legal challenges and criticism from both parties for undermining Senate oversight.
As of now, the appointment is considered a developing story, with further details expected on how Pulte will balance his dual responsibilities and whether he will face formal nomination for the permanent DNI position.
