President Donald Trump reportedly intervened personally this week after a disagreement emerged regarding the timing of Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard’s departure from her position, according to accounts from officials familiar with the situation.
The episode unfolded as Bill Pulte, whom Trump selected to serve as acting Director of National Intelligence, prepared to take over leadership of the intelligence office following Gabbard’s previously announced decision to step down later this month.
Gabbard had publicly disclosed that she intended to leave her post at the end of June in order to help care for her husband, who is battling cancer. Her planned departure appeared to be proceeding on that timeline until an unexpected phone call reportedly altered the situation.
According to officials who spoke with Axios, Pulte contacted Gabbard on Tuesday and informed her that her tenure would end immediately.
“Today is your last day,” Pulte reportedly told her.
The message allegedly caught Gabbard by surprise. Rather than accepting the directive, she reportedly pushed back and sought clarification regarding whether the decision had come directly from higher authorities.
“I need to hear it from the president or the White House,” Gabbard responded, according to two officials briefed on the conversation.
The exchange set off a chain of events that ultimately led Gabbard to contact Trump directly. According to a source familiar with the matter, the president did not confirm that she was being removed immediately. Instead, he reportedly discussed the timing of her departure with her personally.
The source said Trump asked Gabbard a simple question: “What day works best for you?”
Following that conversation, Gabbard selected June 19 as her preferred departure date. Trump subsequently announced the revised timeline on Truth Social and confirmed that Pulte would oversee the Office of the Director of National Intelligence on an interim basis until a permanent nominee is selected and confirmed by the Senate.
The reported disagreement has drawn attention not only because it involved two senior administration figures, but also because it highlighted the importance of maintaining clear lines of communication during leadership transitions involving national security positions.
Pulte currently serves as director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency and has been tapped by Trump to temporarily lead the intelligence office while the administration searches for a long-term replacement.
His appointment, however, has already prompted questions from lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle. Critics have pointed to his lack of military and intelligence experience, while others have raised concerns about the fact that he does not possess a security clearance.
Those concerns are likely to remain part of the discussion as Pulte prepares to assume responsibility for overseeing the nation’s intelligence apparatus on an interim basis.
The episode also underscores the challenges that can emerge during transitions involving senior national security officials, particularly at a time when intelligence leadership remains a critical component of government operations. While the administration has now settled on a departure date for Gabbard, questions surrounding the succession process and Pulte’s qualifications are expected to continue drawing scrutiny from lawmakers in the weeks ahead.
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