Trump says Pulte will take over as acting DNI sooner than expected

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President Trump announced on Tuesday that Bill Pulte will assume the role of the U.S.’s intelligence chief earlier than anticipated, despite the threat that this controversial nomination poses to renewing America’s warrantless spy powers.

The president shared in a Truth Social post that Pulte will take over as acting Director of National Intelligence (DNI) on June 19 — 11 days earlier than previously stated.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) director was originally expected to start in this role following the planned departure of DNI Tulsi Gabbard on June 30.

In addition to this new role, Trump reiterated on Tuesday that Pulte will remain in his current roles at FHFA and as chair of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac during this period. It is highly unusual for the DNI, who oversees over a dozen intelligence agencies, to remain in other government leadership roles.

The president’s decision to push forward with Pulte’s nomination comes amid threats from a growing number of Democratic lawmakers to block the renewal of part of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) if Pulte remains the acting DNI.

Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill have cited concerns with Pulte’s qualifications for this role and his record of using his position at FHFA to elevate claims of mortgage fraud against Trump’s perceived political foes.

FISA’s Section 702 allows the U.S. government to spy on foreigners abroad to gather intelligence information about national security threats.

The news of Pulte’s nomination last Tuesday drew a frosty reception from Senate leaders, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) casting doubt on the likelihood that the FHFA director could receive support for a permanent nomination.

“Well, we don’t need a weaponized DNI, we need professionals there,” Thune told reporters after the news broke.

“So, again, I’ve just heard about it. I’ll try and get more information about the current state of their thinking about that position, and again, if he’s somebody they want in that position permanently, he’s got, as you all know, a lengthy road ahead of him,” the GOP leader continued.

On Tuesday, Thune told reporters that the White House was “weighing seriously” a permanent nominee to replace Pulte.

“We’re encouraging it, at least I am,” Thune said. “I think that getting some certainty and closure on that issue about who that might be will certainly play an important role in unlocking the support that we need to get FISA done.”

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Bill Pulte

John Thune

Tulsi Gabbard

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