“The Acting Director of Political Retribution.” Sadly, that might be the best shorthand title for the official chosen Tuesday to oversee the nation’s 18 intelligence agencies. Our new spy chief has zero intelligence experience but a stellar record as a political loyalist to President Donald Trump.

Even by Trump administration standards, Tuesday’s appointment of Bill Pulte, head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, to be acting director of national intelligence was a stunner. Pulte is probably best known for making allegations of mortgage fraud against some of Trump’s political enemies. His national-security résumé is thin even compared with that of his much-criticized predecessor, Tulsi Gabbard.

“The Acting Director of Political Retribution.” Sadly, that might be the best shorthand title for the official chosen Tuesday to oversee the nation’s 18 intelligence agencies. Our new spy chief has zero intelligence experience but a stellar record as a political loyalist to President Donald Trump.

Even by Trump administration standards, Tuesday’s appointment of Bill Pulte, head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, to be acting director of national intelligence was a stunner. Pulte is probably best known for making allegations of mortgage fraud against some of Trump’s political enemies. His national-security résumé is thin even compared with that of his much-criticized predecessor, Tulsi Gabbard.

U.S. and foreign intelligence officials were rocked by the surprise announcement. Reactions ranged from “deep disappointment to outrage,” one insider told me. What reassured some officials was an expectation that Pulte will be a figurehead, available for Trump’s special missions but not acting as a day-to-day spy chief. During Pulte’s tenure, greater power........

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