2026-06-02
Trump names intel chief, job openings surge, Russia hits Ukraine hard.
Good afternoon. The administration tapped a housing regulator for the top intelligence slot while lawmakers were in recess. Missile attacks resumed in Ukraine after weeks of relative quiet. Job numbers jumped, but markets are skeptical.
S&P futures down 0.2%. Chips rallying, software falling.
Lunch Brief
Trump tapped the Federal Housing Finance Agency director for the role. Pulte will split the position with his Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac duties—a dual assignment unusual for intelligence leadership.
Moscow said it carried out a "massive" strike after Zelenskyy had warned residents for days. Multiple deaths reported.
About 150 organizations will get access to the advanced cyber security model. Requests came from around the world.
Peter Thiel's Founders Fund backed the space startup. Orbit-to-orbit transfer tech remains a crowded bet.
A judge's order put the fund on hold. Both Democrats and some Republicans objected—an unusual alignment that forced the administration to back away.
Available positions rose to 7.62 million in April from 6.89 million in March. Layoffs also fell. S&P futures dropped 0.2% on the news—investors pricing in rates staying higher longer.
A stocks rally stalled Tuesday morning. Job data and rate expectations appear to be pricing in longer-duration tightness.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Tuesday morning. Three-month Iran war negotiations have hit a roadblock after Trump's optimism last week.
- Trump endorses missing lawmaker Tom Kean Jr.
- Trump taps housing regulator as acting intelligence chief
- Smuggling tunnel found connecting San Diego and Tijuana
- Chipmakers outperform software by record margin
- Victoria's Secret soars on profit beat
- Southampton backs manager despite spying scandal
- Legendary wine collection found beneath castle floor
- Small businesses leverage AI for admin work
- Instagram AI chatbot tricked to unlock account access
- Did human ancestors walk on knuckles like chimps
"Standard noise. Calibrate accordingly."
"The wire took a breath. Don't get used to it."
A housing guy runs the spy agency while markets ignore a jobs boom—pick your signal for what's actually happening.
Back at 6:00 PM ET with the night owl brief.