Acting National Intelligence Director Bill Pulte has begun firing employees at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, just days after taking charge of the agency on a temporary basis. This move has sparked concern among lawmakers, with some Republicans questioning the timing and scope of the staff cuts.

Lawmaker Reactions

Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana) expressed concerns about Pulte’s ability to oversee firings, given his recent appointment. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina) echoed these concerns, stating that Pulte may not have done the necessary analysis to understand the impact of the firings. On the other hand, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Missouri) said he would defer to the president, and Sen. John Kennedy (R-Louisiana) stated that he is fine with the firings if Pulte is targeting the right people.

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence oversees the nation’s 18 intelligence agencies and was created in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks to improve information sharing across the federal government. The office did not immediately respond to questions about the number of employees being fired, the specific positions being targeted, and the potential impact on national security.

Surveillance Program in Limbo

The controversy surrounding Pulte’s appointment has also disrupted a key surveillance program used by intelligence agencies to spy on foreign targets and prevent terrorist attacks. The program, Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), expired earlier this month after Congress failed to pass an extension. This has raised concerns about possible intelligence gaps, particularly with the America250 celebrations and the World Cup requiring a heightened security posture.

Original reporting: 40/29 / KHBS (NW Arkansas) — read the source article.