President Trump appointed William J. Pulte, the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, to serve as acting director of National Intelligence after Tulsi Gabbard’s departure.
Mr. Trump’s decision on Tuesday installs one of his staunchest supporters and attack dogs in a key role overseeing national secrets amid tense foreign relationships and overseas conflicts.
Mr. Pulte’s background is in investments and real estate, making him an unusual choice for the role, though Mr. Trump defended his credentials.
“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,” Mr. Trump wrote on Truth Social, referencing the government-sponsored enterprises created by Congress to support the housing market.
“During this period, he will remain Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, and Chairman of Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac,” he added.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune was hesitant to congratulate Mr. Pulte on his new role.
When asked if Mr. Pulte could weaponize the position, the South Dakota Republican told reporters, “We don’t need a weaponized DNI, we need professionals there.
“If he’s somebody we want in that position permanently, he’s got a lengthy road ahead of him,” he said, referring to the Senate confirmation process.
Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, however, dubbed him a “Trump puppet.”
“Bill Pulte has already proven himself willing to act as a Trump puppet, which is why Trump wants to put him in charge of our nation’s intelligence,” the New York Democrat said. “The Intelligence Community exists to protect the American people — not to serve as another instrument of presidential retribution.”
Vice President J.D. Vance defended Mr. Pulte, calling him a “great guy who recognizes that the bureaucracy of the intel community must respond to the elected leadership (rather than the other way around).”
Sen. Mark R. Warner, the ranking member on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, said Mr. Pulte was “chosen for his willingness to advance the president’s political agenda rather than his experience.”
“That is how intelligence becomes politicized, how inconvenient facts disappear, how agencies charged with protecting our democracy instead become tools to manipulate it, and how Americans are left more vulnerable to a terrorist attack,” the Virginia Democrat said.
Mr. Pulte, 38, gained prominence last year for his aggressive moves to investigate certain persons for alleged mortgage fraud, including political targets such as New York Attorney General Letitia James, Sen. Adam B. Schiff of California and Federal Reserve Board of Governors member Lisa Cook.
None of those have resulted in convictions.
Mr. Trump was prompted to fill the national intelligence role after Ms. Gabbard, a former congresswoman, announced her resignation last month to focus on her husband’s cancer treatment. Her last day on the job is June 30.
As acting director, Mr. Pulte will be the principal adviser to the president, the National Security Council and the Homeland Security Council for all intelligence-related national security matters, overseeing 18 agencies, including the CIA and the National Security Agency.
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