Bill Pulte takes the helm of an intelligence community marred by infighting

President Donald Trump’s surprise decision to elevate Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte to serve as acting director of national intelligence is raising a new question on Capitol Hill — whether the appointment helps resolve growing tensions inside the intelligence community or makes them worse.

The move comes as a bitter internal dispute between the CIA and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence has already disrupted intelligence sharing and collaboration on key national security assessments, including analysis related to the war with Iran.

Trump announced Tuesday that Pulte, 38, would replace outgoing Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard while continuing to lead the federal housing agency and serve as chairman of mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Trump praised Pulte’s management experience overseeing more than $10 trillion in housing assets and said he has “deep experience managing the most sensitive matters in America.”

But unlike most recent intelligence