President Trump announced Tuesday that he is appointing Bill Pulte as acting Director of National Intelligence to replace Tulsi Gabbard. Pulte currently leads the Federal Housing Finance Agency. Gabbard will step down on June 30.
President Trump made the announcement in a social media post. He cited Pulte's experience managing markets and overseeing more than 10 trillion dollars at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Gabbard announced her resignation on May 22. She cited her desire to support her husband during treatment for bone cancer. The Director of National Intelligence role was established after 9/11 to coordinate U.S. intelligence agencies. Pulte will continue in his current position at the Federal Housing Finance Agency. Other officials have also held multiple roles in the administration. Democrats including Sen. Mark Warner criticized the choice. They questioned Pulte's lack of national security experience and raised concerns about potential political influence in intelligence matters.
