Pulte to Begin as Acting Director of National Intelligence in Late June, Trump Confirms

President Donald Trump confirmed Tuesday evening that William Pulte will take over for Tulsi Gabbard on June 19 as acting director of national intelligence

Pulte assumes the acting role while still holding positions as director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency and chairman of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, according to Trump’s post on Truth Social.

Gabbard will step down on June 30 to care for her husband, who has been diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer.

In an earlier Truth Social post on June 2, Trump said Pulte brings “deep experience managing the most sensitive matters in America, the safety and soundness of the Markets.” He called Pulte a “very smart guy” and added that he “may find out some things about the rigged elections.”

Trump also underscored in his initial announcement Pulte’s oversight of more than $10 trillion in assets held at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Pulte, 38, was sworn in on March 14, 2025, as the fifth director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency after his nomination by Trump and bipartisan Senate confirmation on a 56–4 vote. In that role, he directs Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Home Loan Banks, all key pillars of the U.S. mortgage market.

Pulte had a career in homebuilding, housing products, and community development. He established Pulte Capital Partners LLC in 2011, an investment firm specializing in building and housing products, and served on the board of Pulte Homes, a Fortune 500 homebuilder.

A Northwestern University graduate, Pulte has worked in philanthropy, including serving as founder of the Blight Authority, which focuses on urban decay, and through direct giving via social media.

Trump has also directed Pulte to downsize the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), which oversees 18 intelligence agencies.

“I’d like to see it smaller. I think there are a lot of people in there that shouldn’t be there,” Trump told The Wall Street Journal in an article published June 5.

Trump said the shakeup should happen before he names a new permanent director.

“You’re less shackled,” Trump said. “It sort of gives you more power, you know, for a somewhat limited period of time.”

Trump told the Journal that the ODNI “should maybe even be terminated, and we’ll make that decision,” emphasizing his administration’s efforts in shrinking other federal agencies.

“We’ve made the Department of Education much smaller, and likewise, this should be much smaller,” he said.

Some Republicans have lauded Pulte’s appointment.

“While Democrats play politics with our national security, @pulte will put the American people first,” Sen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) posted on X. “He is a friend, ally, and patriot who will fight to drain the Swamp of our intel community, and keep America safe. I look forward to working with him as Acting Director of National Intelligence.”

Democrats have strongly opposed Pulte’s appointment, citing his lack of intelligence or national security experience.

Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), vice chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, called the move a security risk.

“Bill Pulte was picked as Acting DNI for one reason, and one reason only: his willingness to weaponize private information to help Donald Trump,” he alleged in a Facebook post.