Trump appoints Bill Pulte as acting US intelligence chief and orders immediate agency downsizing

President Donald Trump named Bill Pulte, the head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, as Acting Director of National Intelligence effective June 19. In a Truth Social post, Trump instructed Pulte to "execute the immediate and needed downsizing of the office, reverting staff to their home agencies" while the administration searches for a permanent nominee with national‑security experience.

Democrats in Congress have criticised Pulte’s lack of intelligence or military background and warned that his appointment could jeopardise negotiations to reauthorise Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, calling the move a "live hand grenade" in the reauthorisation process. The decision follows the recent resignation of former DNI Tulsi Gabbard and comes as Trump also seeks a short‑term extension of the surveillance law.