On June 2, 2026, President Donald Trump appointed Bill Pulte as the acting director of national intelligence. Pulte, who currently heads the Federal Housing Finance Agency, has no prior experience in intelligence. He will oversee 18 agencies, including the CIA and NSA, and serve as the president's principal adviser on intelligence matters. Trump announced the appointment via social media, stating that Pulte has experience managing significant financial matters, including overseeing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
The appointment allows Trump to bypass the Senate confirmation process, but it remains unclear if Pulte will be nominated permanently. Senator Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, criticized the decision, claiming Pulte was chosen for his political alignment rather than his qualifications. Warner expressed concerns about the potential politicization of intelligence under Pulte's leadership.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune indicated he was still gathering information about Pulte's appointment. Pulte succeeds Tulsi Gabbard, who resigned due to personal reasons. Gabbard had a low profile in the administration and was not closely aligned with Trump. Following Gabbard's resignation, Aaron Lukas, who has extensive intelligence experience, was initially named as acting director before Pulte's appointment. Pulte was confirmed to his current role in March 2025 with bipartisan support.