Bill Pulte is expected to transfer intelligence duties to Jay Clayton on Monday, AP reports.
Why it matters: The move puts a Senate-confirmed official in charge of the intelligence community after weeks under a temporary appointee. Pulte's separate role as FHFA director also raised questions about how much attention he could give ODNI.
- AP says the handoff is planned for Monday, Aug. 4, 2026.
- The Senate confirmed Jay Clayton as director of national intelligence on July 28, 2026.
- Pulte has served as acting director of national intelligence for about two months.
- Pulte also serves as director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency.
Bill Pulte is expected to turn over intelligence duties at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to Jay Clayton on Monday, according to AP. The change would end Pulte's temporary role overseeing ODNI while Clayton awaited Senate confirmation.
The Senate confirmed Clayton on July 28, 2026, clearing the way for him to take over the intelligence post, AP reported in a separate story. That confirmation matters because it restores the office to a Senate-approved director rather than a temporary appointee.
Pulte's dual role also drew attention because he serves as director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency at the same time he has been handling ODNI duties. Reuters reported in June that Pulte would lead ODNI until Clayton was confirmed and would oversee personnel cuts sought by Trump, underscoring that the arrangement was meant to be temporary. Reuters also reported that critics in Congress questioned whether he had enough national security experience for the intelligence job.
House Intelligence ranking member Jim Himes said it was critical to have a permanent DNI in place. Sen. Elizabeth Warren separately called on Pulte to resign from both ODNI and FHFA, citing abuse-of-power concerns tied to the dual roles.
By the numbers
- Aug. 4, 2026 - the date AP says the handoff is planned for.
- July 28, 2026 - the date the Senate confirmed Jay Clayton.
- About two months - how long Pulte has served as acting director of national intelligence.
Yes, but: The exact scope of Pulte's acting authority has been described differently in reporting, with AP and Reuters both framing the arrangement as temporary while Clayton's confirmation was pending.
What's next: Pulte is expected to hand over ODNI duties to Clayton on Monday, Aug. 4, 2026.