Trump's pick for US intelligence chief to start next week.

https://manageolj.lorientlejour.com/admin/articles.php?action=edit&id=1537735#https://manageolj.lorientlejour.com/admin/articles.php?action=edit&id=1537735#<p>U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday said his controversial new pick to oversee U.S. intelligence will begin June 19, earlier than expected.</p><p>Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform that Bill Pulte will take over as acting director of national intelligence next Friday from Tulsi Gabbard.</p><p>Gabbard said last month that she was stepping down to care for her cancer-stricken husband, and had initially planned to stay in the role until the end of June.</p><p>Pulte, a 38-year-old home-construction heir, will also &quot;remain as Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, and Chairman of Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac,&quot; Trump said in the post.</p><p>The director of national intelligence, who heads the sprawling U.S. intelligence community and serves as the president&#39;s main advisor on intelligence issues, is legally required to have &quot;extensive national security expertise.&quot;</p><p>But Pulte has generated criticism from U.S. Democratic lawmakers over his lack of experience, and his tenure in U.S. government has even polarized many within Trump&#39;s circle due to his aggressive and public partisan moves.</p><p>He has notably accused Democratic Senator Adam Schiff and New York Attorney General Letitia James of falsifying documents on mortgage applications. The <em>Wall Street Journal</em> reported that an internal complaint at Fannie Mae said Pulte had improperly accessed their mortgage records.</p><p>Trump has indicated he does not plan to appoint Pulte to the post on a permanent basis, as it would require confirmation by the U.S. Senate.</p><p>Senators last week blocked legislation renewing a major foreign surveillance authority to protest Trump&#39;s appointment of Pulte..</p>