Trump says Pulte will not be permanent intelligence director

President Donald Trump said on Thursday that Bill Pulte will serve only temporarily as acting director of national intelligence and will not be named to the job permanently. Trump made the remarks at the White House, two days after naming Pulte, who currently leads the Federal Housing Finance Agency, to replace Tulsi Gabbard in an acting role. The move drew criticism from lawmakers, who questioned Pulte's lack of intelligence experience and his record as a political ally of Trump. Trump said the administration is still interviewing candidates for the permanent position. He also suggested Pulte could look into domestic matters, even though the intelligence community is focused on foreign threats. Pulte would continue overseeing FHFA and the mortgage finance agencies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac during the interim period.