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Trump Appoints FHFA Head as Acting DNI, Critics Warn

6/8/2026

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Summary

Story summary

President Donald Trump appointed Bill Pulte, head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, as acting Director of National Intelligence for 210 days.
Bipartisan lawmakers called the appointment the most dangerous move because Pulte lacks national-security experience.
Senators Tom Cotton and Chuck Grassley, after blocking Section 702 debate, asked Secretary of State Marco Rubio for a contingency plan if the authority expires.

History

Historical Context

Congress passed the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act in 2004, creating a cabinet-level Director of National Intelligence to oversee 18 agencies. President George W. Bush appointed former ambassador John Negroponte as the first DNI on February 17 2005; the Senate confirmed him 98-2 on April 21 2005. Donald Trump later kept the DNI at cabinet rank, continuing the post’s evolution.

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Story summary

President Donald Trump appointed Bill Pulte, head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, as acting Director of National Intelligence for 210 days.
Bipartisan lawmakers called the appointment the most dangerous move because Pulte lacks national-security experience.
Senators Tom Cotton and Chuck Grassley, after blocking Section 702 debate, asked Secretary of State Marco Rubio for a contingency plan if the authority expires.

1 / 2