Trump picks loyalist Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence to replace Tulsi Gabbard
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (local time) named Bill Pulte as acting Director of National Intelligence, replacing Tulsi Gabbard, who recently announced that she would resign from the role at the end of June.
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (local time) named Bill Pulte as acting Director of National Intelligence, replacing Tulsi Gabbard, who recently announced that she would resign from the role at the end of June.
Trump announced Pulte's appointment in a Truth Social post. He said, "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. William 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, a substantial increase from where it was just 12 months ago. During this period, he will remain Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency and Chairman of Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac."
NBC News reported that the DNI is a cabinet role that requires confirmation from the Senate. However, Trump's naming of Pulte in an acting capacity has allowed the US President to bypass the process for now. It remains unclear if Pulte will be Trump's final pick for the job.
Tulsi Gabbard resigns citing personal reasons
The development comes weeks after Tulsi Gabbard, the former DNI, submitted her resignation to the US President, citing personal reasons to step away from the role. She will leave the administration on 30 June. According to AFP, she was a controversial pick for the job, and her tenure was marked by apparent disagreements with Trump over his handling of the Iran war.
In her resignation, Gabbard told Trump that she was "deeply grateful for the trust you placed in me and for the opportunity to lead the Office of the Director of National Intelligence for the last year and a half," and added, "Unfortunately, I must submit my resignation, effective June 30, 2026. My husband, Abraham, has recently been diagnosed with an extremely rare form of bone cancer."
Who is Bill Pulte?
38-year-old Pulte is an outspoken Trump ally who is best known for publicly attacking Trump's political enemies, with some US media describing him as the president's "attack dog." Pulte has accused Trump's political enemies, including Democratic Senator Adam Schiff and New York Attorney General Letitia James, of falsifying documents on mortgage applications.
He has also championed the mortgage fraud case against US Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, based on which Trump attempted to fire the monetary policymaker.
In May 2025, Pulte referred Sen. Adam Schiff, a California Democrat and frequent target of Trump's criticism, to the Justice Department for potential criminal investigation. However, the inquiry into Schiff did not move forward.
Democrats have also sought scrutiny of Pulte's actions. In September 2025, House Democrats requested that an inspector general examine mortgage fraud allegations Pulte had levelled against Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, accusations she has rejected.
Two months later, then-Rep. Eric Swalwell of California filed a lawsuit against Pulte, accusing him of leveraging his official position to advance what the suit described as unfounded mortgage fraud claims. Swalwell has since resigned from Congress following allegations of sexual misconduct.
About the Author
Swati Gandhi is a digital journalist with over four years of experience, specialising in international and geopolitical issues. Her work focuses on foreign policy, global power shifts, and the political and economic forces shaping international relations, with a particular emphasis on how global developments affect India. She approaches journalism with a strong belief in context-driven reporting, aiming to break down complex global events into clear, accessible narratives for a wide readership.<br><br> Previously, Swati has worked at Business Standard, where she covered a range of beats including national affairs, politics, and business. This diverse newsroom experience helped her build a strong grounding in reporting, while also strengthening her ability to work across both breaking news and in-depth explanatory stories. Covering multiple beats early in her career has helped her be informed about her current work, allowing her to connect domestic developments with wider international trends.<br><br> At Live Mint, she focuses on international and geopolitical issues through a business and economic lens, examining how global political developments, foreign policy decisions, and power shifts impact markets, industries, and India’s strategic and economic interests.<br><br> She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English (Honours) from the University of Delhi and a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University. Her academic training has shaped her emphasis on precision, analytical rigour, and clarity in writing. Her interests include global political economy and the intersection of geopolitics with business.<br><br> Outside work, Swati focuses on exploring her passion and love for food. From fancy cafes to street spots, Swati explores food like a true foodie.
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