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President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that he is appointing the current director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, William J. Pulte, to step into the role of acting director of national intelligence.
Pulte is also the chairman of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
“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,” President Trump wrote on Truth Social.
He continued, “During this period, he will remain Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, and Chairman of Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac. Congratulations to Director Pulte!”
Pulte appears to have no prior experience in the intelligence community. However, Pulte has taken action against perceived Trump foes in the past, such as New York State Attorney General Letitia James, who once aggressively pursued civil fraud charges against President Trump before the 2024 presidential election.
According to CNBC, Pulte submitted a criminal referral against James over allegations of fraudulent property and bank documents, leading to charges that were later dismissed.
“Congratulations to Bill Pulte @pulte appointed Director National Intelligence,” said businessman and Trump ally Grant Cardone on X. “Bill has made provided great leadership at Fannie/Freddie and will be brilliant in his new post.”
Conservative commentator Jack Posobiec praised President Trump’s decision to appoint Pulte to the DNI position. “President Trump just appointed a fighter over at DNI,” he wrote. “Bill Pulte is a man who knows how to get things done and has been loyal to the President since Day One. This is a signal, make no mistake. Huge pick[.]”
Democrats, by contrast, were less than enthused by the president’s choice. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., slammed the appointment, accusing Pulte of being a “partisan thug” who was simply “another unqualified Trump appointee that will make our country less safe.”
Pulte’s appointment comes just weeks after Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard submitted her resignation, citing her husband Abraham’s recent bone cancer diagnosis as the catalyst for her decision to step away from her position.
“Abraham has been my rock throughout our eleven years of marriage – standing steadfast throughout my deployments to East Africa on a Joint Special Operations mission, multiple political campaigns, and now my service in this role,” she said in her resignation letter.
Gabbard will depart the Trump administration on June 30, according to her resignation statement.
The position of permanent director of national intelligence requires a Senate confirmation vote, as it is a Cabinet role. However, Pulte’s temporary appointment skirts that process for the time being. He would need a confirmation vote, however, if he were to assume the role permanently.