Pulte Named Acting Director of National Intelligence Amid Criticism

President Donald Trump has appointed Bill Pulte, director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), as the acting director of national intelligence. Pulte comes from a real estate background and lacks direct national security experience, raising questions amid ongoing tensions with Iran. Trump announced the decision on social media, stating Pulte would temporarily replace Tulsi Gabbard, who resigned due to her husband’s illness.

Pulte, known for his work with mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, continues to serve in his FHFA role while assuming the intelligence position. Trump emphasized Pulte’s experience in managing market safety as relevant to overseeing 18 federal security agencies. However, the appointment has sparked concerns regarding Pulte’s qualifications in the face of Middle Eastern conflicts, Ukrainian-Russian tensions, and AI as a military tool.

Pulte has been a frequent presence on Air Force One and has engaged with Trump during travels to Mar-a-Lago, shared noteworthy projects, and attended discussions on presidential developments.

Skepticism from Senate Republicans

Senate Republicans have expressed doubts about Pulte’s suitability for the intelligence role. Senate Majority Leader John Thune seeks clarity on the administration’s rationale behind the appointment. Senator Tom Cotton refrained from commenting specifically on Pulte’s national security credentials.

Republican Senators Thom Tillis, Bill Cassidy, and John Cornyn, nearing the end of their Senate terms, voiced skepticism, citing Pulte’s limited experience in national security. Tillis mentioned previous confirmation evaluations focused on Pulte’s real estate background rather than security expertise.

Democratic Concerns and Criticism

Democrats, including Senator Mark Warner, highlighted the statutory requirements of national security experience for the intelligence director role. Warner pointed out the danger of prioritizing narrative over intelligence accuracy. Senator Elizabeth Warren criticized Pulte’s use of his FHFA position and perceived loyalty to Trump. Robert Weissman from Public Citizen warned of potential misuse of surveillance capacities against political opponents.

Pulte’s Controversial Actions at FHFA

Pulte’s tenure at FHFA involved aggressive actions against Trump’s critics, leading to mortgage fraud accusations against officials like New York Attorney General Letitia James and Senator Adam Schiff. These referrals were deemed politically motivated and faced legal challenges and dismissals.

Pulte’s aggressive tactics extended to family legal disputes and personal attacks, earning him a controversial reputation.

Despite controversies, Pulte maintained support within Trump’s administration. National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett praised Pulte’s attention to detail and strong ties to the White House.

If formally nominated, Pulte would require Senate confirmation to assume the full-time intelligence director position, continuing a trend of acting appointments during Trump’s presidency.

Associated Press writers Joey Cappelletti and Seung Min Kim contributed to this report.