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President Donald Trump said Tuesday night that Bill Pulte will begin serving as acting director of national intelligence later this month.
The president announced in a post on Truth Social that Pulte will officially assume the role on June 19 as part of a leadership transition following the departure of outgoing DNI Director Tulsi Gabbard.
The president said Pulte has already been coordinating with Gabbard ahead of the transition.
“William Pulte, who is working closely with Tulsi Gabbard, will be taking over as Acting Director of National Intelligence on Friday, June 19th. He will remain as Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, and Chairman of Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac,” President Trump wrote. “Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
Pulte was tapped for the temporary intelligence role last week after Gabbard announced plans to step down June 30 to support her husband during treatment for a rare form of bone cancer.
Gabbard has not publicly commented on Pulte’s appointment, though she shared an update last week regarding her husband’s condition following surgery.
“He had a rough night and is in a lot of pain but is finally home resting,” Gabbard wrote on X. “Now recovery begins. We’re so grateful for the outpouring of prayers and kind messages from all of you. Our hearts are full.”
Pulte will continue overseeing the Federal Housing Finance Agency while temporarily leading the nation’s intelligence community, according to Trump’s announcement.
The appointment places Pulte in charge of coordinating operations across the U.S. intelligence apparatus, including agencies involved in national security analysis, intelligence gathering and counterterrorism efforts.
President Trump made clear Friday that he expects significant personnel changes under Pulte’s leadership.
“I’d like him to fire a lot of people,” he told reporters, arguing that the Office of the Director of National Intelligence had become overly large and filled with holdovers from previous administrations.
“He’s less shackled because he doesn’t need confirmation,” President Trump said. “He’s there temporarily.”