Trump appoints housing regulator Bill Pulte as acting intelligence director

US President Donald Trump has appointed Bill Pulte, the current chairman of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), as acting director of national intelligence following the resignation of Tulsi Gabbard from the position on Tuesday.

Bill Pulte is the grandson of the founder of PulteGroup, one of America's largest residential homebuilding companies. Before his government service under Trump, Pulte had no federal government experience. As FHFA chairman, he regulated government-sponsored mortgage financiers Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, giving him financial sector experience but none in national security matters.

The position of Director of National Intelligence was created in 2004 following the September 11 attacks to improve coordination among the 17 different US intelligence agencies. The role typically requires extensive experience in national security, intelligence work, or related fields. Pulte brings none of these traditional qualifications to the position.

In Washington, Pulte is regarded as a Trump loyalist who has earned the nickname 'Little Trump' among some observers. His appointment is seen as part of Trump's strategy to place trusted allies in key government positions, even when they lack conventional expertise for the roles.

The appointment has raised alarm among security experts and former intelligence officials. Critics warn that placing a political loyalist without relevant experience at the head of the intelligence community could compromise national security. They fear Pulte might prioritize political considerations over professional intelligence assessments.

Particularly concerning to critics is Pulte's documented willingness to retaliate against Trump's political rivals. This stance raises questions about the independence and objectivity of intelligence work under his leadership. US intelligence agencies traditionally rely on providing non-political, fact-based analysis.

The resignation of Tulsi Gabbard, who previously held this position, occurred without public explanation of the reasons. Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman and presidential candidate who later switched to supporting Trump, had herself represented a controversial appointment due to her critical positions on US foreign policy.

Pulte's appointment does not require Senate confirmation since it is an acting position. This allows Trump to quickly place personnel in important positions without going through the lengthy confirmation process. It remains unclear whether Trump plans to nominate Pulte later for a permanent appointment.

The decision has set off alarm bells in Washington as concerns mount about the implications of having someone without intelligence experience leading the nation's sprawling intelligence apparatus. The intelligence community plays a crucial role in national security, providing assessments on threats ranging from terrorism to foreign interference.

International reactions to this personnel decision are being closely watched by US allies and partners, as the effectiveness of US intelligence services directly impacts international security cooperation. The appointment comes at a time when the US faces complex global security challenges requiring sophisticated intelligence coordination.

The move reflects Trump's broader approach to staffing his administration with personal loyalists rather than traditional Washington establishment figures. This pattern has been consistent across various government departments and agencies since Trump's return to office.