Trump names Bill Pulte acting DNI

Donald Trump said on June 2 that he had named Bill Pulte, the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, to serve as acting director of national intelligence, expanding the housing regulator’s portfolio into one of the government’s top national security jobs. Trump said Pulte would keep his current positions as FHFA director and chairman of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, according to reports citing the president’s social media post. As of Tuesday, the White House website did not show a formal release on the appointment. ### Who is Bill Pulte in the administration now? William J. Pulte has led the FHFA since March 14, 2025, when he was sworn in as the agency’s fifth director, according to the regulator’s biography and announcement. FHFA says Pulte oversees Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Home Loan Banks in that role. The Federal Housing Finance Agency describes itself as the regulator created under the 2008 Housing and Economic Recovery Act to supervise Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Home Loan Bank System. (wcvb.com) Trump’s move would leave Pulte holding that housing post while also taking on the acting intelligence role. ### Why is the DNI job open? Tulsi Gabbard is the current director of national intelligence, and she announced last month that she would resign effective June 30, according to multiple reports published after her departure notice. (fhfa.gov) News reports on Tuesday said Pulte would replace Gabbard in the acting role. (fhfa.gov) The Office of the Director of National Intelligence says the DNI serves as head of the U.S. Intelligence Community, which includes 18 agencies and organizations. That makes the post the senior coordinating role for the intelligence system Pulte is now set to oversee on an acting basis. ### What exactly did Trump say about Pulte’s duties? Associated Press and other outlets reported that Trump announced the move on Tuesday and identified Pulte as both FHFA director and chair of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. (odni.gov) Those reports said Trump indicated Pulte would retain those positions while serving as acting DNI. (odni.gov) Politico reported that Trump elevated a political ally to the intelligence post, while CNBC said the appointment came after Gabbard’s announcement that she would leave at the end of June. Those accounts matched the basic details circulating in social media posts earlier Tuesday. (wcvb.com) ### Was there an official White House posting? The White House presidential actions page showed items through June 1 when checked Tuesday, including nominations and other actions, but no visible posting for Pulte’s appointment. The White House news and briefings pages also did not show a formal release on the move in the search results reviewed Tuesday. (politico.com) ODNI’s public site still carried recent material identifying Gabbard as DNI, including a March threat assessment release and other press items. That did not by itself contradict the appointment reports, but it showed the agency’s public pages had not yet reflected a change on Tuesday. ### What comes next? (whitehouse.gov) June 30 is the date tied to Gabbard’s resignation, according to reports on her departure, and that is the next concrete milestone in the transition. A formal White House release, an ODNI update or additional guidance on when Pulte assumes the acting role would be the next public documents to watch. (cnbc.com) (odni.gov)