Bill Pulte assumed the role of acting director of national intelligence on Friday, placing the staunch Trump loyalist in charge of America's intelligence apparatus. A top Senate Democrat described him as 'someone who will be willing to shape intelligence around the president's wishes, regardless of the cost to the American people.'
Timeline of Bill Pulte's Appointment
Tulsi Gabbard Resigns
On 22 May 2026, after months of rumors that she had lost favor with Trump, Tulsi Gabbard resigned from her post as director of national intelligence. Her clashes with Trump over his Iran policy reportedly pushed her to the margins of the administration. Her unprecedented appearance at an FBI raid of a Georgia election center alarmed voting advocates and many members of Congress. In her resignation letter, Gabbard said her last day would be 30 June.
Trump Announces Pulte as New DNI
On 2 June 2026, in a Truth Social post that stunned Washington, Trump announced he was nominating Pulte to serve as acting director of national intelligence. Acting heads of government agencies fill roles on a temporary basis and do not require Senate confirmation. The negative reaction was swift. Senator Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the intelligence committee, said: 'Elevating him to oversee the intelligence community makes clear that this president is not looking for an intelligence leader who will follow the facts or speak truth to power, but rather someone who will be willing to shape intelligence around the president's wishes, regardless of the cost to the American people.' Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters that 'we don't need a weaponized' national intelligence director and Pulte would have 'a lengthy road ahead of him' if nominated permanently.
Trump Clarifies Pulte Won't Stay
On 4 June 2026, speaking with reporters in the Oval Office, and as anger in the Senate mounted, Trump clarified that he would not nominate Pulte to become the permanent director. 'It's an acting position. It's not permanent,' Trump said. 'I don't think he'd want to be permanent.'
Trump Announces Gabbard Leaving Sooner
On 9 June 2026, Trump announced on Truth Social that 'William Pulte, who is working closely with Tulsi Gabbard, will be taking over as Acting Director of National Intelligence on Friday, June 19th.' Shortening Gabbard's tenure meant Pulte would take over in only 10 days. This stirred further opposition, with senators from both parties threatening not to reauthorize key surveillance powers ahead of their expiration on 12 June.
Trump Nominates Jay Clayton as Permanent DNI
On 11 June 2026, Trump announced he was nominating Jay Clayton, the US attorney for the southern district of New York, as permanent DNI director. 'Few people anywhere in the Legal Community are respected at the level of Jay,' he wrote. Though Clayton has no experience in any of the 18 agencies under his purview, there were quick signs of bipartisan support. The Senate intelligence committee immediately scheduled Clayton's confirmation hearings for 17 June, an extraordinarily rushed schedule, meaning a vote could occur before 19 June, thus preventing Pulte from ever serving as acting director.
Major Surveillance Law Expires
On 12 June 2026, some Republicans in Congress scrambled to pass a short-term, two-week extension of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, but their efforts failed. The law granting the executive branch broad surveillance powers lapsed amid the outrage over Pulte potentially serving even temporarily as director.
Trump Derails Clayton's Confirmation
On 17 June 2026, in an extraordinary Truth Social post sent from France at 3.54am Washington time, only hours before the planned confirmation hearing, Trump wrote: 'Regarding the approval of our Great Patriot, Jay Clayton, we are cancelling the Senate Hearing RE: DNI today.' Trump cited several factors, including Democrats' alleged gamesmanship over the surveillance law extension and his desire to have a new US attorney to replace Clayton. The practical effect was that, with only two days until Gabbard's departure, Pulte was destined to serve as America's spy chief.
Pulte Takes Over as Acting DNI
On 19 June 2026, Pulte officially became acting director of national intelligence following Gabbard's departure.
