National

Trump says Pulte's role as acting intelligence director is temporary

By Reuters Reuters

Updated June 4, 2026 2:09 PM

FILE PHOTO: Bill Pulte, nominated to be the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, testifies during a Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 27, 2025. REUTERS/Annabelle Gordon/File Photo — FILE PHOTO: Bill Pulte, nominated to be the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, testifies during a Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 27, 2025. REUTERS/Annabelle Gordon/File Photo Annabelle Gordon Reuters

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WASHINGTON - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that Bill Pulte's appointment as acting intelligence director is for the short term and not a permanent position.

"I don't think he would want to be permanent, but he is a very smart guy, and he may find out some things about the rigged elections," Trump told reporters at the White House.

"It's short term, but he may be very effective for a short period of time," Trump said.

Trump appointed Pulte, the federal housing regulator, as acting director of national intelligence on Tuesday,

(Reporting by Bo Erickson, writing by Bhargav Acharya;Editing by David Ljunggren)

Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect.

This story was originally published June 4, 2026 at 1:39 PM.