President Donald Trump appointed Bill Pulte, a federal housing regulator with no national security experience, as acting director of national intelligence on Tuesday. This move elevates a political loyalist to lead the US intelligence community amid war and global tensions.
Pulte, 38, has used his position to push for investigations into several perceived enemies of Trump for alleged mortgage fraud. None have resulted in criminal charges. He replaces Tulsi Gabbard, who is stepping down due to her husband’s recent cancer diagnosis.
Democrats and at least one Republican criticized Pulte as unqualified for the role. Pulte can serve up to 210 days without Senate confirmation. During this period, he will continue his roles as Federal Housing Finance Agency director and chair of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, overseeing 18 agencies in the US intelligence community.
Trump praised Pulte’s experience managing sensitive matters and overseeing $10 trillion at Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac. However, critics argue that Pulte lacks the necessary qualifications to oversee foreign spy services like the CIA and NSA.
Senate Republican Leader John Thune said Pute might struggle for Senate confirmation due to the chamber’s narrow division. Gabbard used her intelligence role to investigate Trump’s baseless claims of 2020 election fraud, facing similar criticism from Republicans who lost primaries last week.
Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer called Pulte a “partisan thug,” arguing that someone with such political views cannot be trusted with national security matters.