President Donald Trump named Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte as acting Director of National Intelligence after Tulsi Gabbard resigned, the White House said Tuesday.
Trump said Pulte will remain FHFA director and chairman of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac while taking the intelligence post.
Gabbard resigned effective June 30, 2026, saying she needed to support her husband during his cancer treatment, according to AP reporting carried by PBS.
The appointment drew criticism because Pulte has no prior experience in national security, according to The Guardian.
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The Government Accountability Office opened an investigation into Pulte over possible misuse of authority linked to mortgage-fraud referrals, CNN reported in December.
Pulte had referred allegations involving Trump critics, including New York Attorney General Letitia James, Representative Eric Swalwell, Senator Adam Schiff and Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook. Those named have denied wrongdoing.
FHFA says Pulte was sworn in as its director on March 14, 2025, after Trump nominated him and the Senate confirmed him.
