President Donald Trump appoints Bill Pulte, head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, as acting Director of National Intelligence (DNI) for a limited period, according to multiple reports. Several outlets say the appointment follows scrutiny and pushback on Capitol Hill over Pulte’s background, with critics and intelligence Democrats questioning whether he has national security or intelligence experience and warning against potential actions such as sweeping personnel changes or improper handling of intelligence. NBC News and CBS News report that Trump tells reporters Pulte will not take the post permanently and frames his role as temporary. Other coverage adds that Democrats argue Pulte is a Trump loyalist, and one report says Trump’s rationale includes an effort related to claims about the 2020 election. Separately, The Guardian describes timing disputes around the outgoing DNI and a decision that affects whether the administration’s preferred nominee is able to be confirmed before Pulte’s interim term begins. Overall, the sources agree on Pulte’s temporary acting role, the political controversy surrounding his appointment, and Trump’s statement that the position will be filled by someone else after the interim period.