Bill Pulte and FISA: How Trump’s intel chief pick risks key spy tool : NPR
NPR Topics: Politics — 2026-06-11 04:00:00 — www.npr.org
President Trump’s Appointment of Bill Pulte as Acting Director of National Intelligence Sparks Bipartisan Alarm
President Trump’s recent decision to appoint Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence has upended sensitive congressional negotiations over the renewal of a key U.S. surveillance power. Trump announced the move on Truth Social, stating, “I am appointing the Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, and Chairman of Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac, William J. Pulte, to serve as Acting Director of National Intelligence. William has deep experience managing the most sensitive matters in America.”
The announcement caught lawmakers off guard, particularly as the Senate was nearing a deal to extend Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), a critical tool for U.S. intelligence agencies. Many Democrats, and even some Republicans, expressed immediate concern over Pulte’s lack of national security experience and his reputation for using his official roles to target Trump’s perceived enemies.
Pulte, previously known for his online philanthropy and as a partisan advocate for Trump—including pushing for the firing of then-Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and calling for mortgage fraud investigations into Trump’s critics—has no background in intelligence. His tenure at the Federal Housing Finance Agency was marked by abrupt policy shifts and public accusations against individuals opposed to Trump, including Fed official Lisa Cook, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and Senator Adam Schiff. All have denied any wrongdoing.
Trump, however, has defended the appointment, telling the Wall Street Journal that as acting director, Pulte would not be “beholden to Senate confirmation” and could “quickly shake up the agency and continue to reduce its headcount.” Trump added, “You’re less shackled. It sort of gives you more power, you know, for a somewhat limited period of time.”
The move has drawn sharp criticism from both parties. Senate Majority Leader John Thune warned, “We don’t need a weaponized DNI. We need professionals there.” Democratic leaders have gone further, with House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries calling Pulte a “political hack” and “malignant clown.”
Despite the backlash, Trump has shown no sign of reversing course before the FISA deadline, instead urging Congress to pass another short-term extension while he interviews candidates for the permanent role.
Conclusion
President Trump’s appointment of Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence has not only disrupted bipartisan efforts to renew vital surveillance authority but has also raised serious questions about the politicization of U.S. intelligence leadership. Trump’s insistence that Pulte’s outsider status gives him “more power” has only deepened concerns about the impartiality and effectiveness of the nation’s intelligence apparatus at a critical moment.
Source: https://www.npr.org/2026/06/11/nx-s1-5851895/bill-pulti-director-of-national-intelligence-fisa-702