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President Donald Trump has named William “Bill” Pulte, the current head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), as the next acting Director of National Intelligence (DNI), a position for which he has no expertise or apparent qualifications.

Pulte will take over the role upon the exit of current DNI Tulsi Gabbard, who announced her resignation last month. Trump announced Pulte’s appointment in his preferred way: in a post on Truth Social.

The president claimed Pulte has “deep experience managing the most sensitive matters in America,” including “the safety and soundness of the Markets, and over 10 Trillion Dollars at Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac.” The comments about the FHFA director come as millions of Americans are struggling financially and housing mortgage rates have hit a nine-month high.

Trump also said that Pulte “will remain Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, and Chairman of Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac” while he assumes the DNI role.

As an “acting” official, Pulte will not have to undergo Senate confirmation, a move Trump may have done on purpose, given Pulte’s lack of experience. Pulte can remain in that position for 210 days, at which point Trump will either have to formally submit Pulte’s name as a permanent nominee, or select a different DNI pick.

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According to the DNI government webpage, the director “serves as the head of the Intelligence Community,” and is the “principal advisor to the President, the National........

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