Trump taps loyalty-first pick to head intelligence, fueling concerns

Trump named Bill Pulte, the head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, as acting director of national intelligence—a loyalty-driven choice with no intelligence or national-security background that critics warn could politicize access to sensitive data and influence election oversight. Pulte would oversee 18 agencies including the CIA and NSA and focus on foreign threats, while supporters say he’s decisive and loyal to the president. Republicans criticized the timing and qualifications, and some Democrats warned about the risk of politicizing intelligence; the White House defended the appointment. The move comes as debate intensifies over expanding federal election oversight and the renewal of surveillance authorities like Section 702. Pulte has also faced past mortgage-related allegations against political enemies in his FHFA role.