Acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte has begun implementing staff reductions at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), as directed by President Donald Trump. The move aims to shrink the agency, which Trump has described as “unnecessary and/or too big”.
Background
Pulte, who assumed the acting DNI post on June 19, 2026, has no prior experience in intelligence or national security. His appointment drew criticism from Democrats and some Republicans who questioned his qualifications for the role.
The ODNI was created after the September 11, 2001, attacks to improve coordination among intelligence agencies. Under former Director Tulsi Gabbard, the office underwent significant downsizing, with approximately 40% of the workforce cut and over $700 million in annual savings.
President Trump has directed Pulte to “start the process” of firing employees, citing holdovers from prior administrations. The exact number of additional firings remains unclear, but reports indicate that hundreds of jobs are under review.
Original reporting: The Dallas Express — read the source article.
