Donald Trump just handed the keys to America’s intelligence kingdom to a man better known for refinancing mortgages than decoding spy cables. Bill Pulte, already juggling Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Housing Finance Agency, now adds acting Director of National Intelligence to his résumé after Tulsi Gabbard resigned at the end of May.
The move replaces Gabbard, whose February 2025 appointment had already stirred controversy and whose fifteen-plus months in office were defined by open friction with Trump over the Iran conflict. Trump announced the switch on Truth Social, praising Pulte’s knack for handling the nation’s most delicate affairs while stressing that the 38-year-old would keep his housing duties intact. The president described Pulte’s experience managing market security and stability as perfect preparation for intelligence work.
Pulte has earned a reputation as one of Trump’s most vocal defenders, frequently launching public broadsides at critics that earned him the nickname “attack dog” in some outlets. Observers now wonder whether mortgage spreadsheets will replace classified briefings or if Pulte will somehow blend both worlds into one surreal spreadsheet of national secrets. The abrupt transition leaves Washington wondering whether the next intelligence assessment will arrive with a 30-year fixed rate and a home inspection clause.
