Trump Rules Out Bill Pulte for Permanent Intelligence Chief

Facing bipartisan resistance over a perceived lack of security credentials, President Donald Trump confirmed Thursday that Bill Pulte will not be the permanent director of national intelligence. The announcement follows intense scrutiny from lawmakers who argue that the Federal Housing Finance Agency chief is unsuited for the sensitive role.

Trump described Pulte as a high-integrity individual during an Oval Office exchange, yet conceded that the role would remain strictly temporary. Senate Majority Leader John Thune and other key Republicans have warned against weaponizing the intelligence community, signaling that a full-time nomination for Pulte would likely face insurmountable hurdles in the chamber. Beyond his current housing portfolio, Pulte has drawn heat for aggressive rhetoric toward former Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and for promoting controversial mortgage policies.

The friction extends beyond Capitol Hill. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed during a Wednesday hearing that he previously threatened to clash with Pulte, highlighting internal administration tensions. Meanwhile, Senator Elizabeth Warren has formally requested that the president rescind the appointment entirely, citing fears that Pulte might leverage his temporary access to sensitive intelligence to advance election-denial narratives. As the search for a permanent successor continues, the White House maintains that it is actively interviewing other candidates for the position vacated last month by Tulsi Gabbard.