Trump appoints ally and FHFA chief Pulte as acting US intelligence director

​U.S. President Donald Trump appointed federal ​housing regulator Bill ‌Pulte as ​acting director of national intelligence on Tuesday, elevating a political loyalist without national security experience to ‌lead the country's sprawling intelligence community. In a social media post, Trump said Pulte, 38, would remain director of Federal Housing Finance Agency and the chair ‌of federally supported mortgage-backers Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

"William has deep ‌experience managing the most sensitive matters in America, the safety and soundness of the Markets, and over 10 Trillion Dollars at Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac, a substantial increase from ⁠where it ​was just ⁠12 months ago," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. Tulsi Gabbard, Trump's first director ⁠of national intelligence, announced plans to leave the post in May. Reuters reported she ​was forced from the role over friction with the White House. Gabbard ⁠said she resigned due to her husband's recent cancer diagnosis.

The U.S. intelligence community is ⁠comprised ​of 18 agencies, including the CIA and National Security Agency, tasked with gathering data and information security threats both domestically and globally. ⁠The department has taken on increased importance in recent months due to Trump's ⁠war on ⁠Iran, recent attempted attacks on the president and federal officials, and a raft of brewing military engagements in South ‌America.

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