ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE — President Trump says he’s conducting five interviews before he selects someone to permanently fill the director of national intelligence job in the wake of Tulsi Gabbard’s resignation.

Mr. Trump also said he would like his acting DNI, William J. Pulte, to trim staff.

“We’ll have a very good person watching things, Bill Pulte,” Mr. Trump said Friday en route to Wisconsin. “If he cut, I wouldn’t mind that.”

Mr. Pulte is the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency. His background is in investment and real estate, making him an unusual choice for the intelligence job.

Some lawmakers, including Republicans, say Mr. Pulte is not the right fit for a job overseeing national secrets, so he would have a hard time getting Senate-confirmed for the permanent role.

But the president said Mr. Pulte is qualified to serve in the acting role after reforming the housing finance agency.

“He’ll do a very good job. He’ll watch [the agency], mostly,” Mr. Trump said. “Did a great job at Freddie Mae and Freddie Mac.”

Mr. Trump will be selecting the permanent DNI after Ms. Gabbard cited her husband’s battle with cancer for stepping down.

Mr. Trump on Friday also criticized Sen. Thom Tillis, North Carolina Republican, for saying he would oppose acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s nomination to the permanent position unless Mr. Blanche condemns the Capitol attackers of Jan. 6, 2021.

“Senator Tillis is a loser; that’s why he didn’t run,” Mr. Trump said, referring to Mr. Tillis’ decision not to seek reelection. “Now he’s trying to make trouble by opposing anyone.”