Bill Politi named acting US DNI without intelligence experience

President Donald Trump appointed Bill Politi, the head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, as acting Director of National Intelligence, succeeding Tosi Gabbard who resigned. The appointment bypasses the legal requirement for extensive national‑security experience. Trump praised Politi’s “deep experience in managing some of the most sensitive files in America” and cited his oversight of the housing market and the $10 trillion mortgage‑backed securities portfolio. Critics from both parties, including Senators John Cornyn, John Thune, Lisa Murkowski and Democratic intelligence committee members, warned that Politi is unqualified and risk turning the intelligence community into a political tool. Politi will retain his FHFA duties and his roles on the boards of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac while overseeing the 18‑agency intelligence apparatus.