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President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that he is appointing Federal Housing Finance Agency Director William “Bill” Pulte to serve as acting director of national intelligence to replace Tulsi Gabbard.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump praised Pulte’s leadership at the FHFA and his oversight of mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
“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,” Trump wrote.
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Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency Bill Pulte walks outside the White House, Sept. 2, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Trump said Pulte will remain FHFA director and chairman of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac while serving in the intelligence post.
“Congratulations to Director Pulte!” Trump added.
Pulte was confirmed earlier this year to lead the FHFA, the agency that regulates Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Home Loan Bank System.
Bill Pulte, Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, speaks to reporters outside the West Wing of the White House in Washington, DC, on January 9, 2026. (Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP via Getty Images)
Trump also noted that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac now oversee more than $10 trillion in assets, which he said was “a substantial increase from where it was just 12 months ago.”
Pulte is set to succeed former Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, who last month announced her resignation from the post to support her husband following his diagnosis with a rare form of bone cancer.
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard testifies during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on worldwide threats at the Hart Senate Office Building on March 18, 2026, in Washington, DC. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
During her tenure, Gabbard led efforts to declassify a range of government records and pursued broader reforms within the intelligence community. Gabbard’s resignation is scheduled to take effect on June 30.
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If Pulte is later nominated to serve as director of national intelligence on a permanent basis, he would require Senate confirmation.
Fox News’ Brooke Singman, Robert Schmad and The Associated Press contributed to this report.