Trump reveals his pick to replace embattled Tulsi Gabbard as intel chief

By JON MICHAEL RAASCH, WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT Published: 14:21, 2 June 2026 | Updated: 14:29, 2 June 2026 Donald Trump has announced who will replace Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard following her planned resignation.  Bill Pulte, Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) and Chairman of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, will now serve as acting Director of National Intelligence, the President announced on Tuesday morning.  Pulte, 38, will replace outgoing DNI Tulsi Gabbard, who recently announced she would step back from her job as her husband deals with a rare form of bone cancer. 'I am appointing the Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, and Chairman of Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac, William J. Pulte, to serve as Acting Director of National Intelligence,' Trump posted on social media.  'William has deep experience managing the most sensitive matters in America, the safety and soundness of the Markets, and over 10 Trillion Dollars at Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac, a substantial increase from where it was just 12 months ago.' Trump shared that Pulte will remain Director of FHFA and the Chairman of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac while serving as acting DNI.   Pulte has feuded with some of Trump's Cabinet members during his tenure. Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency Bill Pulte will now serve as acting Director of National Intelligence, Trump announced on Tuesday Pulte will replace outgoing DNI Tulsi Gabbard, who recently announced she would step back from her job as her husband deals with a rare form of bone cancer  Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reportedly told Pulte in the fall that he would 'punch you in your f***ing face' after the Treasury chief caught wind of the housing financier badmouthing him to Trump.  'Why the f*** are you talking to the president about me? F*** you,” Bessent reportedly told Pulte at a dinner with many Cabinet officials in September. 'I’m gonna punch you in your f***ing face.'  This is a breaking news story that will be updated.   No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.