To choose his new interim head of American intelligence, Donald Trump preferred loyalty to experience. However, American law requires that this position, created after the attacks of September 11, 2001 and among the most strategic in the American security apparatus, be occupied by a person with “in-depth knowledge of national security issues”. A baggage that Bill Pulte does not have.
The 38-year-old businessman was designated Tuesday June 2 by the President of the United States to supervise American intelligence agencies, from the CIA to the NSA. He replaces Tulsi Gabbard in this position, herself criticized during her appointment for her pro-Russian positions, who announced her resignation on May 22.
The one that Donald Trump says has “deep experience in managing sensitive issues in the United States” is heir to a family that made its fortune in real estate, and an entrepreneur himself. Since March 2025, he has also been head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, responsible in particular for supervising the mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
“Trump rewards his lackey”
A position that he will maintain alongside his new functions, and in which he has been noted for his zeal in participating in legal proceedings initiated against political adversaries of the American president. Among them is the Attorney General of New York State, Letitia James, but also Lisa Cook, Governor of the Federal Reserve, and Democratic Senator Adam Schiff. He also particularly targeted the President of the Federal Reserve (Fed), Jerome Powell, accusing him of not having lowered key interest rates as quickly as Donald Trump wanted.
A true activist of the Maga movement since 2024, he has notably showered his national committee with donations as well as Donald Trump’s presidential campaign. On
The question of his incompetence in security matters, posed several times to Mehmet Oz – head of federal health programs and chosen by the White House to lead the traditional press briefing on Tuesday – did not find an answer from him. “Bill is a great guy,” he simply commented.
In the Democratic opposition, on the other hand, the news made people cringe. “Trump rewards his lackey (…) by making him head of our intelligence community. What could go wrong? », quipped Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren about X. For Chuck Schumer, leader of the Democratic minority in the Senate, “a guy who can initiate political, scandalous and baseless prosecutions against elected officials he does not like cannot be entrusted with the task of protecting our national security”.
An interim period of maximum 210 days
Mark Warner, lead Democratic member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, points to the president’s choice to appoint “an official who has demonstrated not only his willingness but also his eagerness to use government authority to carry out political retaliation.”
At this stage, Bill Pulte is appointed acting director until the formal designation of a new incumbent or until he himself is permanently appointed. However, this would require a green light from the Senate, far from being a foregone conclusion. This interim period cannot exceed 210 days. In the meantime, from the effective departure of Tulsi Gabbard, it will be up to him to implement White House policy with the intelligence agencies, as well as to advise President Donald Trump.
