Trump names Bill Pulte acting national intelligence director

President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that Bill Pulte, who is currently the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), will serve as acting director of national intelligence after Tulsi Gabbard’s resignation.

Gabbard announced May 22 she would leave her post June 30, citing her husband’s rare bone cancer diagnosis. Pulte has no prior experience in an intelligence role, and Trump said Pulte will remain the director of the FHFA while he leads the intelligence community.

“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,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “During this period, he will remain Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, and Chairman of Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac. Congratulations to Director Pulte!”

Trump had previously announced that Aaron Lukas, Gabbard’s principal deputy director of national intelligence, would serve as acting director.

In his role at FHFA, Pulte has sent several criminal referrals to the Justice Department alleging mortgage fraud for notable public figures such as New York Attorney General Letitia James and Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook. Trump cited the mortgage fraud allegations when he sent Cook a notice of dismissal in August 2025, though Cook remains at her post as a Supreme Court case on the matter pends.