President Donald Trump is preparing for a major shake-up inside the U.S. intelligence community after naming Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence, a temporary role that gives him immediate influence over the agencies responsible for coordinating America’s classified intelligence work.
Pulte, who currently leads the Federal Housing Finance Agency, was chosen to replace outgoing Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard on an acting basis after she announced her resignation, effective June 30. The appointment allows Pulte to serve temporarily without going through a new Senate confirmation process for the DNI role.
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence oversees coordination across 18 U.S. intelligence agencies, including the CIA, NSA, FBI intelligence operations, Defense Intelligence Agency and other national security entities. As acting DNI, Pulte will have access to sensitive intelligence and a role in coordinating priorities across the broader intelligence community.
Trump has made clear that he wants Pulte to move quickly. In comments to The Wall Street Journal, the president said he wants the intelligence bureaucracy reduced, arguing that “a lot of people” inside the system “shouldn’t be there.”
TRENDING TODAY
The president also suggested that Pulte’s temporary status could make him more flexible in carrying out changes before a permanent nominee is selected. Trump said an acting official can be “less shackled” and may be able to begin difficult restructuring work before a Senate-confirmed successor takes over.
The move has drawn mixed reactions in Washington. Trump allies see the appointment as a chance to reform intelligence agencies that the president and his supporters have long accused of being resistant to his agenda. Critics, including some Republicans, have raised concerns about putting someone with limited intelligence experience in charge of the nation’s intelligence apparatus, even temporarily.
Pulte’s background is mainly in housing finance, private business and government-sponsored mortgage entities, not national security. That has made the appointment controversial among lawmakers and analysts who argue that the DNI role requires deep knowledge of intelligence operations, classified programs, foreign threats and congressional oversight.
Supporters counter that Pulte’s outsider status is exactly why Trump selected him. They argue that someone from outside the intelligence establishment may be more willing to challenge bureaucracy, review personnel decisions and pursue reforms without being tied to agency culture.
The appointment also comes as the administration is reportedly considering broader declassification efforts. Trump has suggested that Pulte should review classified materials and “look at everything” before deciding what could be released. That could include politically sensitive records, although the White House has not provided a detailed list of documents or a timeline for any declassification process.
Any major release of classified material would likely involve legal, security and intelligence reviews. Declassification can be politically powerful, but officials must also consider whether releasing records could expose sources, methods or ongoing operations.
Pulte’s acting role may also affect congressional debates over surveillance authorities and intelligence funding. Some lawmakers have already expressed concern that the intelligence community could become more politicized if major personnel changes are made before a permanent DNI is confirmed.
The White House has not announced who Trump will nominate as the permanent director of national intelligence. It is also unclear how quickly Pulte could begin personnel reductions or whether any workforce changes are already being planned.
For now, the appointment sends a clear message: Trump wants movement inside the intelligence community immediately, not after a lengthy confirmation battle.
Whether that becomes a limited restructuring or a much broader confrontation with intelligence officials, Congress and national security experts will depend on what Pulte does once he formally assumes the acting role.
Why It Matters
The director of national intelligence plays a central role in coordinating America’s intelligence agencies. Any major shake-up could affect national security operations, intelligence analysis, surveillance policy and the relationship between the White House and the intelligence community.
The appointment also matters politically because Trump’s supporters see intelligence reform as overdue, while critics worry that large-scale firings or declassification efforts could politicize sensitive national security work.
What Comes Next
Pulte is expected to take over after Tulsi Gabbard’s resignation becomes effective. Lawmakers will be watching closely to see whether he begins personnel cuts, launches internal reviews or moves toward declassifying politically sensitive records.
The White House is also expected to continue searching for a permanent DNI nominee, who would need Senate confirmation.
Trump said he wants acting DNI Bill Pulte to reduce staff inside the intelligence community, arguing that some officials “shouldn’t be there.”
Trump says he wants new acting intel chief Bill Pulte to cut staff: ‘Lot of people that shouldn’t be there’ https://t.co/3SYIA7gweZ pic.twitter.com/ABTxl6LvoC
— New York Post (@nypost) June 5, 2026
