Washington (U.S.), June 2 (LaPresse/AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump has appointed Bill Pulte, head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), as acting director of National Intelligence. Trump made the surprise announcement in a social media post, writing that Pulte would replace Tulsi Gabbard, the former representative from Hawaii. The Republican president cited Pulte’s work at the FHFA and his role as chairman of mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, stating that the 38-year-old “has deep experience in managing America’s most sensitive issues, market security and stability, and over $10 trillion at Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac, a substantial increase from where it stood just 12 months ago.” Trump noted that Pulte will retain his other positions even as he replaces Gabbard, who resigned last month after revealing her husband’s cancer diagnosis. If formally nominated, Pulte would need Senate confirmation to serve in the position full-time. As the grandson of the founder of PulteGroup, one of the country’s largest homebuilders, Pulte has demonstrated a combative streak on social media and has used his position at the FHFA to attack alleged opponents of the Trump administration. Pulte is also known for attacking then-Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell for not cutting interest rates as aggressively as the president wanted. She has been associated with ideas such as the 50-year mortgage and efforts to lower mortgage rates by purchasing mortgage-backed debt that failed to deliver the promised results. His promotion is a sign of how Trump is prioritizing loyalty over a traditional resume.
U.S.: Trump Names Pulte as Acting Director of National Intelligence
Washington (U.S.), June 2 (LaPresse/AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump has appointed Bill Pulte, head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), as acting director of National Intelligence. Trump made the surprise announcement in a social media post, writing that Pulte would replace Tulsi Gabbard, the former representative from Hawaii. The Republican president cited Pulte’s work at the FHFA and his role as chairman of mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, stating that the 38-year-old “has deep experience in managing America’s most sensitive issues, market security and stability, and over $10 trillion at Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac, a substantial increase from where it stood just 12 months ago.” Trump noted that Pulte will retain his other positions even as he replaces Gabbard, who resigned last month after revealing her husband’s cancer diagnosis. If formally nominated, Pulte would need Senate confirmation to serve in the position full-time. As the grandson of the founder of PulteGroup, one of the country’s largest homebuilders, Pulte has demonstrated a combative streak on social media and has used his position at the FHFA to attack alleged opponents of the Trump administration. Pulte is also known for attacking then-Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell for not cutting interest rates as aggressively as the president wanted. She has been associated with ideas such as the 50-year mortgage and efforts to lower mortgage rates by purchasing mortgage-backed debt that failed to deliver the promised results. His promotion is a sign of how Trump is prioritizing loyalty over a traditional resume.
