Trump appoints unqualified loyalist Bill Pulte as acting Director of National Intelligence

President Trump announced on June 3, 2026, that he is appointing Bill Pulte, director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, as acting Director of National Intelligence to replace Tulsi Gabbard. Pulte has no intelligence experience and has been controversial for sending criminal referrals to the Justice Department alleging mortgage fraud by Trump's political opponents, including targeting Democratic lawmakers and critics. Despite bipartisan criticism from senators including Mitch McConnell and Mark Warner, and warnings that the appointment could imperil reauthorization of Section 702 of FISA and other critical surveillance powers set to expire in July 2026, Trump doubled down on June 10, demanding Congress pass a short-term extension while declaring Pulte would "execute the immediate and needed downsizing" of the intelligence office. The appointment bypasses Senate confirmation and raised alarm among both Republicans and Democrats about placing an unqualified loyalist in charge of t...

"Pulte has been asked to execute the immediate and needed downsizing of the office of the director of national intelligence" — Trump's statement on June 10, 2026, defending the appointment amid congressional concerns about FISA reauthorization