No, Bill Pulte Was Not Selected to Replace Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence
“President Trump selected Bill Pulte to replace Tulsi Gabbard as acting director of national intelligence”
The argument in brief
A claim circulating online says President Trump picked Bill Pulte to replace Tulsi Gabbard as acting director of national intelligence. This is false. Gabbard was confirmed as Director of National Intelligence in February 2025 and has not been replaced — and Bill Pulte was nominated to lead the Federal Housing Finance Agency, a housing policy role with nothing to do with intelligence.
Why it spread
This claim spread because it stitches together two real names that have both appeared in Trump administration news, making it feel credible at a glance. Most people do not follow every cabinet-level appointment closely, so it is easy to believe a reshuffling happened without noticing the roles described are completely unrelated. It may also have gained traction among people already primed to expect drama or instability in the administration.
A claim has been circulating that President Trump selected Bill Pulte to replace Tulsi Gabbard as acting director of national intelligence. This is false. No credible news source or government record supports it.
Tulsi Gabbard was nominated and confirmed as Director of National Intelligence, as reported by Reuters and confirmed by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. She took the role in February 2025 and there is no public record of her being removed or replaced.
Bill Pulte is a real figure in the Trump administration, but his role has nothing to do with intelligence. According to the Associated Press and NBC News, Pulte was nominated to lead the Federal Housing Finance Agency — the body that oversees mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. That is a housing finance job, not a national security one.
The strongest version of this claim might argue there was a quiet, unannounced personnel change. But major reshuffles at the top of the intelligence community do not go unreported. The ODNI's own leadership page, wire services, and major outlets would all cover such a move. None have.
This kind of misinformation is worth watching for because it mixes real names and real titles in ways that sound plausible if you are not tracking every appointment closely. When a claim involves a personnel change at a high-profile agency, check the agency's official website and look for coverage from at least two major news outlets before sharing.
Sources
- Reuters
Tulsi Gabbard was nominated and confirmed as Director of National Intelligence, not replaced by Bill Pulte.
- Associated Press
Bill Pulte was nominated by Trump to lead the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), not to any intelligence role.
- Office of the Director of National Intelligence
Tulsi Gabbard was confirmed as Director of National Intelligence in February 2025 and there is no public record of her being replaced by Bill Pulte.
- NBC News
Bill Pulte's public role in the Trump administration is connected to housing finance, not national intelligence.
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