Trump Appoints Bill Pulte as Acting DNI with Plans to Reshape Intelligence Community

President Donald Trump has announced his intention to have Bill Pulte, the incoming Acting Director of National Intelligence (DNI), begin the process of reducing the intelligence community’s workforce. This decision was reported in an interview with the Wall Street Journal.

Pulte is set to take over from current DNI Tulsi Gabbard, who resigned in May following a cancer diagnosis in her family. Her resignation will become official on June 30. Trump expressed the need to downsize the intelligence community, which includes 18 agencies under the DNI’s oversight.

“I’d like to see it smaller. I think there are a lot of people in there that shouldn’t be there,” Trump told the Wall Street Journal, referring to the intelligence community.

The appointment of Pulte, who also serves as the Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, has faced criticism from some lawmakers. Former Senate Majority Leader John Thune voiced concerns about having a non-career professional in this role. Thune stated that a professional DNI is crucial, rather than a politically motivated one.

However, Trump defended his choice, citing Pulte’s outsider perspective as an advantage. Trump believes Pulte’s temporary status offers the flexibility needed for initiating workforce changes.

While speaking to the media in the Oval Office, Trump assured that the search for a permanent DNI is active. He emphasized that Pulte’s interim position would allow for initial restructuring efforts before a permanent replacement assumes the role.

Pulte’s current responsibilities also include chairing the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac government-sponsored entities (GSEs). His influence has already been felt in legislative matters, particularly with the blocking of a bill related to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). Senator Mark Warner warned that reauthorization efforts might face challenges with Pulte in leadership.

Fox News Digital reached out to Bill Pulte, Senator Warner, and Leader Thune for further comments.