in brief
- Bill Pulte has been named by Donald Trump as the acting director of national intelligence in the US, succeeding Tulsi Gabbard.
- He is considered controversial, even among Trump's inner circle.
Donald Trump has raised eyebrows and tempers amongst both Republicans and Democrats by appointing a man with zero experience as the United States' acting director of national intelligence.
Bill Pulte, 38, is a staunch supporter of Trump and the grandson of William J Pulte, billionaire founder of the US housing construction firm PulteGroup.
He was appointed by the US president as the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency in 2025, a position he will continue to hold as he takes on the intelligence role.
"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 in a social media post announcing the appointment.
"During this period, he will remain Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, and Chairman of Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac. Congratulations to Director Pulte!"
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Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are the names given to the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, government-sponsored enterprises that work to keep the US housing market affordable.
Pulte will take over the intelligence coordination role from Tulsi Gabbard, who has held the position since the start of Trump's second term. Gabbard clashed with Trump over Iran in March and later resigned from her role, citing family reasons.
Who is Bill Pulte?
Pulte is considered controversial, even among those in Trump's inner circle.
The combative businessman nearly got into a physical altercation with US treasury secretary Scott Bessent during a private dinner for senior officials. According to US media, Bessent threatened to punch Pulte "in the fu—ing face" for allegedly criticising him to Trump.
As housing director, he appointed himself the head of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, firing senior executives who opposed his unilateral decision-making.
He is credited with devising the 50-year mortgage plans that have been touted by Trump, and with giving Trump the idea to share a controversial meme of himself as Jesus Christ, according to US reports.
Pulte also used his access to mortgage records to refer some of Trump's top political opponents for prosecution, earning him the nickname "Little Trump".
New York attorney-general Letitia James, a Democrat who had previously opposed the US president, was charged with mortgage fraud in a case that was later dropped.
California Democratic senator Adam Schiff was referred to authorities over similar issues, as was US federal reserve governor Lisa Cook. Trump fired Cook over the allegations, which she disputed, arguing that her dismissal was politically motivated and unlawful. The case is still before the US supreme court.
Like Trump, Pulte is the heir to a real estate fortune. In 2011, he founded the investment firm Pulte Capital Partners, and he has previously stated he has a net worth of US$100 million ($139 million).
He built his public profile on Twitter, amassing millions of followers through high-profile giveaways and philanthropic work. Following his housing appointment, he wiped his account entirely, deleting tens of thousands of brash, Trump-style posts.
His wealthy family has publicly distanced itself from him over his social media and political activities, stating in 2023 that he does not represent it or its businesses.
His new role will see 18 agencies report to him, including the Central Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency, and the Defence Intelligence Agency.
Republicans and Democrats react
The appointment of Pulte has been described as both dangerous and "absurd" by Democrats, including Brett Bruen, a former Obama-era National Security Council official, who told US news outlet CNBC that the decision was an "amateurish" move by the Trump administration.
"It opens up the very real possibility we could see our intelligence structures and systems further eroded, and the role of intelligence used in more inappropriate and even illegal ways," Bruen said.
He added that the move elevates Pulte from receiving "cafeteria-type sensitive information to the crown jewels of our most protected secrets".
Senate Democratic leader Charles Schumer described Pulte as a "partisan thug" who "can't be trusted" to protect national security.
"Think about this: the nation's at war and the POTUS appoints his political hatchet man, with no relevant experience, as Director of National Intelligence!?!" former Obama adviser David Axelrod said in a post on social media.
Several Republican senators have also raised concerns over Pulte's apparent lack of intelligence experience. These include John Cornyn and Bill Cassidy, both of whom lost primary races after Trump endorsed their opponents.
Representatives Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins also expressed their surprise at Pulte's appointment.
"I'm not familiar that there is anything in his background that would qualify [him] as one who would be the head of our national intelligence," Murkowski has said.
"I know what he has been doing in the housing sector. I'm not so familiar with why the president would have selected him."
Senate Republican leader John Thune said Pulte might have trouble winning confirmation in the narrowly divided chamber if Trump decides to nominate him to the post beyond the current temporary appointment.
"If he's somebody we want in that position permanently, he's got a lengthy road ahead of him," Thune said, according to US news website Semafor.
Pulte will be allowed to serve in his new role for up to 210 days without Senate confirmation. The timeframe would enable him to stay in the position through the November midterm elections, during which the Republican Party is seeking to retain control of Congress.
— With additional reporting by the Reuters news agency.
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