Trump picks loyalist Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence to replace Tulsi Gabbard

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (local time) named Bill Pulte as acting Director of National Intelligence, replacing Tulsi Gabbard, who recently announced that she would resign from the role at the end of June.

Trump announced Pulte's appointment in a Truth Social post. He said, "I am appointing the Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, and Chairman of Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac, William J. Pulte, to serve as Acting Director of National Intelligence. William has 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, a substantial increase from where it was just 12 months ago. During this period, he will remain Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency and Chairman of Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac."

The development comes weeks after Tulsi Gabbard, the former DNI, submitted her resignation to the US President, citing personal reasons to step away from the role. She will leave the administration on 30 June. According to AFP, she was a controversial pick for the job, and her tenure was marked by apparent disagreements with Trump over his handling of the Iran war.

This is a developing story. More details awaited.