Trump appoints real estate heir Bill Pulte as acting intelligence chief
President Donald Trump has appointed Bill Pulte, a 38-year-old real estate heir and staunch loyalist, as acting director of national intelligence, replacing Tulsi Gabbard in a move that underscores the administration’s prioritization of political allegiance over traditional national security experience. Pulte, who currently leads the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), will retain his oversight of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac—entities managing over $10 trillion in assets—while simultaneously assuming one of the U.S. government’s most sensitive roles, according to multiple reports FT Politico.
Pulte’s appointment, announced Tuesday, has drawn sharp criticism from Democrats and watchdogs, who highlight his lack of intelligence or military background and his history of using his FHFA position to target Trump’s political opponents. Since 2025, he has filed criminal referrals against Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and Democratic lawmakers Adam Schiff and Eric Swalwell, actions House Judiciary Committee member Jamie Raskin condemned as a "shameless abuse" of authority Axios. Pulte has also clashed with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent over economic policy, further polarizing his role in the administration.
Trump praised Pulte’s "deep experience managing the most sensitive matters in America," framing his leadership of the FHFA as sufficient qualification for the intelligence post. However, the appointment arrives amid broader tensions over the politicization of U.S. intelligence agencies. In January, Democratic lawmakers Jim Himes and Mark Warner warned Gabbard that turning intelligence tools inward could "devastate Americans’ privacy and civil liberties," a concern that may now intensify under Pulte’s leadership Axios.
Pulte’s rise reflects Trump’s broader strategy of consolidating power among loyalists, particularly in roles traditionally reserved for career officials. His dual responsibilities—overseeing the housing market’s largest entities while directing the 18-agency intelligence community—mark an unprecedented overlap of domestic and national security portfolios. Observers note the timing of his appointment, coinciding with a fragile ceasefire with Iran, may signal Trump’s intent to reshape intelligence priorities around his foreign policy agenda Der Standard.
Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman who joined Trump’s administration in 2025, announced her resignation last month amid scrutiny over her involvement in an FBI search of a Georgia election office, which local leaders described as retaliatory Süddeutsche Zeitung. Pulte’s interim appointment leaves open the question of whether Trump will nominate a permanent successor or continue relying on acting officials—a pattern critics argue undermines institutional stability.
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Articles
„Kampfhund Trumps: Gefolgsmann Pulte wird Geheimdienstkoordinator Trump-Vertrauter Bill Pulte wird vorläufig US-Geheimdienstkoordinator. Der Immobilienunternehmer löst Tulsi Gabbard interimistisch ab.
die presse · 5 days ago
Trumps Gefolgsmann Pulte wird vorläufig Geheimdienstkoordinator Nach dem Rücktritt von Tulsi Gabbard wird Bill Pulte vorläufig Geheimdienstkoordinator. Der 38-Jährige ist bekannt dafür, Trumps Gegner öffentlich anzugreifen
der standard · 5 days ago
Trump appoints real estate heir as acting director of US national intelligence Housing industry executive Bill Pulte has no known experience in national security
financial times · 5 days ago
Trump names Bill Pulte acting director of national intelligence Pulte — who leads the Federal Housing Finance Agency — will take over for Tulsi Gabbard.
politico.eu · 5 days ago
Pope appoints first lay woman to head the Vaticans communications department Pope Leo XIV named Maria Montserrat Alvarado, a prominent figure in Catholic media, to head the Dicastery for Communication, in a new step for the Vatican in opening up to women in Catholic Church leadership roles.
le monde · 5 days ago
USA: Trump ernennt Bill Pulte zum neuen US-Geheimdienstkoordinator Der bisherige Leiter der Finanzaufsicht für den Immobilienmarkt wird Nachfolger von Tulsi Gabbard, die im Mai ihren Rücktritt bekannt gegeben hat. Bei einem umstrittenen Entschädigungsfonds rudert der US-Präsident zurück.
sueddeutsche · 5 days ago
Trump taps housing regulator turned MAGA enforcer as intelligence chief President Trump tapped Bill Pulte, his unusually prominent Federal Housing Finance Agency director, as the new acting director of national intelligence.The big picture: Pulte will split time between overseeing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and holding a massively important position for the countrys national security — an extraordinary dynamic even against the backdrop of other officials wearing multiple hats.An unlikely strongman of Trumps campaign of political combat, Pulte built a MAGA name for himself laying the groundwork for accusations of fraud against multiple Trump foes.He also emerged as an integral figure in the presidents squeeze on the Federal Reserve, backing the campaign against former Fed chair Jerome Powell.Driving the news: Trump touted Pultes "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" in a Tuesday post naming him as the new acting director.Tulsi Gabbard announced her plans to depart the administration last month.An undeniable Trump loyalist, Pulte has been a frequent character in head-turning headlines of Trump 2.0 and is a ominpresent figure in the presidents orbit both in the White House and in Palm Beach, Axios Marc Caputo previously reported.Catch up quick: Pulte sent the Justice Department a string of criminal referrals against Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook, New York Attorney General Letitia James, Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and former Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell.After the exit of a career prosecutor who reportedly resisted charges against James, House Judiciary Committee ranking member Jamie Raskin slammed Pulte for "shamelessly" abusing "FHFAs authority by selectively and vindictively investigating President Trumps rivals."Pulte has also reportedly clashed with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.Between the lines: Trumps sudden elevation of Pulte, the scion of homebuilding royalty, amid a fragile ceasefire with Iran also hints at the way the president views the role of the intelligence chief and the weight he puts on loyalty over experience.Top Democrats raised flags earlier this year over Gabbards presence at an FBI search of a Fulton County, Georgia, election office that local leaders said amounted to retaliation over Trumps 2020 election loss."The Intelligence Community should be focused on foreign threats and, as you yourself have testified, when those intelligence authorities are turned inwards the results can be devastating for Americans privacy and civil liberties," Democrats Rep. Jim Himes (Conn.) and Sen. Mark Warner (Va.) wrote in a January letter to Gabbard.The bottom line: Pultes ascension is sure to incense opponents. But it seems his attention-grabbing performance has, so far, pleased the president.This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
axios · 5 days ago
Trump names Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence after Tulsi Gabbards resignation He will retain his current positions while serving in the intelligence role
independent · 5 days ago
Pope names Mexican-American as first woman to lead Vatican department Pope Leo XIV has taken a step toward overhauling the Vaticans communications by naming Maria Montserrat Alvarado as the new head of its communications office
independent · 5 days ago