President Trump has appointed Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, and Chairman of Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac, William J. Pulte, to serve as Acting 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 wrote on Truth Social. “During this period, he will remain Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, and Chairman of Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac. Congratulations to Director Pulte!” he added. pic.twitter.com/1mj2cM0hO6 — Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) June 2, 2026 Axios has more: 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 president’s orbit both in the White House and in Palm Beach, Axios’ Marc Caputo previously reported. 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 “FHFA’s authority by selectively and vindictively investigating President Trump’s rivals.” Senate Democrats and the legislative chamber’s top Republican criticized Trump’s appointment. “We don’t need a weaponized DNI, we need professionals there,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) said, according to CNBC. “Bill Pulte is a partisan thug with no experience in intelligence. He is another unqualified Trump appointee that will make our country less safe. And you won’t hear a word from the Republicans who claim to care about national security,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said. Bill Pulte is a partisan thug with no experience in intelligence. He is another unqualified Trump appointee that will make our country less safe.  And you won’t hear a word from the Republicans who claim to care about national security. https://t.co/sE6d9MYyZV — Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) June 2, 2026 CNBC noted: Trump had previously announced that Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence Aaron Lukas would take over as acting DNI after Gabbard, who was slated to depart June 30. The White House did not immediately respond to CNBC’s requests for clarification on when Pulte’s tenure at DNI would begin, and whether Lukas would remain in his current role.