President Donald Trump is signaling a major shakeup of the U.S. intelligence community after appointing Bill Pulte as acting Director of National Intelligence, a move that allows the administration to bypass the Senate confirmation process and immediately begin implementing changes across the nation’s intelligence agencies.
Under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act, Pulte can temporarily serve as the nation’s top intelligence official without requiring Senate approval.
The appointment follows the recent resignation of former Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and places Pulte in charge of overseeing the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the 18 agencies that fall under its umbrella.
The appointment gives Pulte broad authority over intelligence operations, personnel decisions, budget oversight and classified information while serving in an acting capacity.
President Trump indicated that one of Pulte’s primary responsibilities will be reducing the size of the intelligence bureaucracy and removing officials who remain from previous administrations.
“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.
Trump later expanded on those comments while speaking with reporters, saying he wants Pulte to begin the process of restructuring the intelligence community before a permanent nominee is selected.
The president suggested that serving in an acting role could actually give Pulte greater flexibility to implement controversial changes.
“You’re less shackled,” Trump said. “It sort of gives you more power, you know, for a somewhat limited period of time.”
Trump added that he believes Pulte could perform much of the difficult work associated with downsizing agencies and restructuring personnel before a permanent intelligence chief assumes the position.
“Frankly, it might be good for him to shake it up before people come,” Trump said.
The president also indicated that Pulte may be tasked with reviewing classified materials for possible public release, including records connected to the 2020 election and allegations of voter fraud that have remained the subject of political debate.
“I would say everything—he should look at everything and make a determination,” Trump said when asked about potential declassification efforts.
As acting DNI, Pulte will oversee an intelligence budget estimated at approximately $100 billion annually while coordinating operations among agencies that include the CIA, FBI, National Security Agency, Defense Intelligence Agency and other intelligence entities.
The appointment has generated mixed reactions in Washington. Some Republicans expressed concerns about the unexpected selection, while supporters argued that Pulte’s temporary status allows him to move quickly without facing a lengthy confirmation battle.
Pulte previously served as director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency and reportedly spent recent weeks seeking the intelligence position after Gabbard’s resignation became imminent.
An Office of the Director of National Intelligence spokesman said the agency is prepared to work with Pulte and the administration on future reforms, per Trending Politics.
“We look forward to working with Mr. Pulte and President Trump on additional initiatives to advance savings and root out deep state bad actors,” the spokesman said.
The White House has not announced a timeline for selecting a permanent Director of National Intelligence. It also remains unclear when any workforce reductions could begin or whether personnel changes are already underway.
For now, Pulte’s appointment signals that the administration intends to pursue significant changes within the intelligence community while taking advantage of the temporary authority provided under federal law.
