United States President Donald Trump appointed federal housing regulator Bill Pulte as acting director of national ​intelligence on Tuesday, elevating a political loyalist without national ‌security experience to lead the country’s sprawling intelligence community.

In a social media post, Trump said Pulte, 38, would remain ​director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency and the chair of ​federally supported mortgage-backers Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

“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,” Trump ​wrote on his Truth Social platform.

Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s ​first director of national intelligence, announced plans to leave the post ‌in ⁠May. Reuters reported she was forced from the role over friction with the White House. Gabbard said she resigned due to her husband’s recent cancer diagnosis.

The US ​intelligence community ​comprises 18 agencies, including the Central Intelligence Agency and National Security Agency, tasked with gathering data ​and information on security threats both domestically and ​globally. ⁠

The department has taken on increased importance in recent months due to Trump’s war on Iran, recent attempted ⁠attacks ​on the president and federal ​officials, and a raft of brewing military engagements in South America.