President Donald Trump announced June 2 that he will name William (Bill) Pulte, director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), acting director of national intelligence after Tulsi Gabbard leaves the post at the end of June.
In a Truth Social post announcing the move, Trump said Pulte, 38, would remain FHFA director and chairman of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the federally backed mortgage giants, while interim director of national intelligence.
“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 said in the post.
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) June 2, 2026
As Zeale News previously reported, Gabbard, who was confirmed in February 2025, announced plans to leave the post on May 22, saying she would care for her husband, who was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer. Her resignation is effective June 30.
>> Tulsi Gabbard resigns as Trump intelligence chief <<
Trump has not indicated whether he will nominate Pulte or someone else for the permanent post, which requires Senate confirmation. Under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act, acting officials may serve for 210 days from the start of a vacancy if no nominee has been submitted, meaning Pulte could serve until Jan. 26, 2027, without confirmation.
Pulte, a businessman from a prominent homebuilding family, was sworn in as FHFA director in March 2025 after Trump nominated him and the Senate confirmed him, according to his FHFA biography. He oversees Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Home Loan Banks, which guarantee roughly half of U.S. mortgages.
The appointment has drawn mixed reactions. Supporters point to Pulte’s experience managing large-scale financial operations and his record of aggressive oversight. Critics have questioned whether Pulte’s background in housing finance adequately prepares him to lead the U.S. intelligence community, which coordinates 18 agencies and helps deliver the president’s daily brief.
Pulte has also drawn attention for accusing several prominent Democrats and Trump critics of mortgage fraud, including Federal Reserve Board of Governors member Lisa Cook, Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., former Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., and New York Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat. None of the accusations has led to a conviction.