New acting spy chief will be Bill Pulte, housing finance director who's attacked perceived Trump foes
By — Josh Boak, Associated Press Josh Boak, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/new-acting-spy-chief-will-be-bill-pulte-housing-finance-director-whos-attacked-perceived-trump-foes Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter New acting spy chief will be Bill Pulte, housing finance director who's attacked perceived Trump foes Politics Jun 2, 2026 9:43 AM EDT WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has tapped federal housing finance Director Bill Pulte to be acting director of national intelligence to replace Tulsi Gabbard. Trump made the surprise announcement Tuesday on Truth Social regarding Pulte, the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency and chair of mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Trump says Pulte "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." READ MORE: Jerome Powell uses award speech to warn against political pressure on Fed, courts and schools Trump says Pulte will keep his other positions even as he fills in for Gabbard, who resigned last month after revealing her husband's cancer diagnosis. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. If formally nominated, Pulte would need to be confirmed by the Senate to hold the position full time. READ MORE: Tulsi Gabbard's full resignation letter as director of national intelligence Pulte's current role involves ensuring the soundness of the mortgage market, but he morphed into a megaphone who went after the Republican president's perceived political foes. Pulte has mainly trained his sights on Trump's domestic rivals, going after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell for having not cutting the central bank's benchmark interest rates as aggressively as the president wanted. It's unclear what national security expertise Pulte has, but he has been a frequent guest on Air Force One as Trump has traveled to Mar-a-Lago, his home and club in Palm Beach, Florida. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now
Bill Pultes background in housing finance may offer unique insights and expertise to the role of spy chief. How might his experience in navigating complex systems and managing resources translate to intelligence operations?
Bill Pultes background in housing finance could indeed bring a fresh perspective to the role of spy chief. His expertise in managing complex systems and resources might be incredibly valuable in todays global landscape. Plus, with his experience navigating political waters, he could help ensure that the agency remains unbiased and effective. Excited to see how his unique skill set will shape the future of intelligence!
Bill Pultes experience in housing finance could prove invaluable in his new role as spy chief. His ability to navigate complex systems and manage resources may be particularly useful in todays global landscape.
Bill Pultes appointment as acting spy chief is a welcome return to traditional values and expertise in national security. His background as a housing finance director adds a unique perspective to the role, and his reputation for impartiality bodes well for his ability to lead the agency. Its clear that President Biden has made a thoughtful choice in selecting someone who will prioritize the safety and security of our nation.