US President Donald Trump on Tuesday named Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence (acting DNI). Pulte currently serves as director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), which oversees mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and will retain that role while taking on the additional intelligence post.

The 38-year-old replaces Tulsi Gabbard, a former Hawaii congresswoman and foreign war skeptic who resigned after her husband was diagnosed with cancer. The DNI role involves overseeing key security matters as the US continues its war with Iran.

It remains unclear what specific experience Pulte brings to the intelligence role. In a post on Truth Social, Trump cited Pulte's "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."

As FHFA director, Pulte has pursued Trump's political enemies, accusing figures such as Democratic Senator Adam Schiff and New York Attorney General Letitia James of mortgage fraud.

Pulte hails from Florida. His grandfather, William J. Pulte, founded PulteGroup, one of the largest home construction firms in the country.

Source: www.dw.com