Trump taps housing official Bill Pulte to be nation's top spymaster
President Donald Trump has appointed housing official Bill Pulte as the acting Director of National Intelligence. The decision has drawn criticism from lawmakers due to Pulte's lack of intelligence experience and allegations that he used his previous role to target political opponents.
Why it matters
The appointment of an inexperienced official to lead the nation's 18 intelligence agencies raises concerns about the politicization of national security and intelligence oversight.
Image source, Getty Images By Max Matza Published 2 June 2026 US President Donald Trump has named a housing official to serve as acting Director of National Intelligence (DNI), the country s top spy chief who oversees 18 government intelligence agencies.
The article emphasizes controversy and criticism from Democrats, framing the appointment as a political maneuver rather than a standard administrative change.
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