Trump taps ally Bill Pulte to serve as top intelligence chief

US president says head of Federal Housing Finance Agency will serve as acting director days after Gabbard exits role

Donald Trump has tapped a close ally to serve as the country’s top intelligence official, days after Tulsi Gabbard announced her exit from the role.

The US president said that Bill Pulte, head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), and heir to a home construction company fortune, will serve as acting director of national intelligence.