Trump on Tuesday named Bill Pulte, head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, as acting director of national intelligence, replacing Tulsi Gabbard. Pulte, a loyal Trump ally who has frequently targeted the president's opponents, has no background in intelligence. The selection drew swift criticism from Democrats, while the Senate's top Republican also raised concerns. Liz Landers has the latest.

Acting Attorney General Blanche told lawmakers Tuesday that the Justice Department is scrapping plans to create a $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization fund." It's a setback for Trump, after Republican senators made clear they did not have the votes to advance a Homeland Security funding bill unless the White House either scaled back or eliminated the fund. Lisa Desjardins has more.

Democrats are banking on a rare chance to regain ground in Iowa, a rural state that has repeatedly eluded them in recent years. Republicans, meanwhile, are grappling with a New Jersey congressman whose unexplained absence could put their already slim majority at risk.

In our news wrap Tuesday, Rubio made his first appearance before Congress since the Iran war began, Israeli drone strikes killed at least 11 people in southern Lebanon, a Kenyan court extended its block on a proposed Ebola quarantine facility for Americans, and Trump signed an executive order asking AI companies to give the government early access to its models to assess national security risks.

Massive Russian attacks across Ukraine overnight killed at least 22 people nationwide and wounded more than 130. Russia has stepped up the size and pace of its attacks on Ukrainian cities in recent months, but on the battlefront, Ukraine is trying to turn the tide. Nick Shifrin reports on Ukraine's efforts, and speaks with retired U.S. Army Col. Robert Hamilton for more on the war.