One Reason Trump Might Have Chosen His New Intelligence Chief
Bill Pulte has been appointed as the acting director of national intelligence, despite lacking national-security experience. He replaces Tulsi Gabbard, who left the position after a difficult tenure. Pulte's history of using sensitive government data for political purposes raises concerns about his suitability for the role.
- ▪Bill Pulte has no apparent intelligence experience.
- ▪He is known for clashing with colleagues rather than fostering cooperation.
- ▪Pulte has a history of using government data for political retribution.
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The Atlantic DailyOne Reason Trump Might Have Chosen His New Intelligence ChiefBill Pulte has no national-security experience, but he does have one qualification that might appeal to the president.By David A. GrahamBrendan Smialowski / AFP / GettyJune 2, 2026, 6:36 PM ET ShareSave This is an edition of The Atlantic Daily, a newsletter that guides you through the biggest stories of the day, helps you discover new ideas, and recommends the best in culture. Sign up for it here.There are two reasonable reactions to the news that Bill Pulte has been named acting director of national intelligence: “Who?” and “Him?” Pulte, the current head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, will replace Tulsi Gabbard, who announced her departure last month after an unhappy and unempowered spell as the…
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