NEW: Trump Picks Surprise Replacement For Tulsi Gabbard

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte will serve as acting director of national intelligence, a surprise pick to replace Tulsi Gabbard when she exits the administration at the end of June.

Trump announced the move in a Truth Social post, saying Pulte will take on the top intelligence job while keeping his current roles overseeing the federal housing finance watchdog and the government-backed mortgage giants.

“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.

Trump added that Pulte will remain in his existing posts.

“During this period, he will remain Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, and Chairman of Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac. Congratulations to Director Pulte!”

Gabbard’s last day as director of national intelligence is scheduled for June 30. She announced her departure last month, citing her husband Abraham’s poor health, and said she would step away to support him.

The move reshuffles leadership of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, which coordinates the sprawling U.S. intelligence community and briefs the president on threats ranging from terrorism and hostile state activity to cyber operations and foreign influence.

Pulte has not previously held an intelligence role. Still, Trump framed the appointment as a matter of trust and management, pointing to the FHFA portfolio and the size of the mortgage market under federal supervision.

The decision also appears to override an earlier transition plan. Trump previously said Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence Aaron Lukas would step in as acting DNI after Tulsi Gabbard’s departure. The White House did not immediately clarify when Pulte’s tenure would begin, whether Lukas will remain in his current role, or how duties will be divided during the handoff.

Screenshot- Truth Social

Pulte has been one of the administration’s more combative officials in his current job. In recent months, he has sent criminal referrals to the Justice Department alleging wrongdoing by several of Trump’s political opponents, including New York Attorney General Letitia James, Sen. Adam Schiff, Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook and former Rep. Eric Swalwell.

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Trump’s announcement did not address those referrals directly, but the pick signals the president is comfortable placing an outspoken loyalist in charge of the nation’s intelligence apparatus, even temporarily.

Gabbard’s departure comes after a turbulent stretch in foreign policy, with the administration juggling talks tied to Iran and broader Middle East tensions. Donald Trump has also publicly hinted at differences with Gabbard in the past, including on Iran, describing her at one point as “softer” than he is on limiting Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.

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Pulte’s appointment sets up an unusual dual-hat arrangement, with the same official leading both the FHFA and, at least for a time, the intelligence community’s coordination shop.

Trump did not provide a timeline for how long Pulte would remain acting DNI, nor did he announce a nominee for the permanent post.

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