Acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte has fired six political appointees put in place by former Director Tulsi Gabbard and removed dozens of career intelligence officials from their roles, according to sources familiar with the moves.

Background

The 45 career officials were on joint duty assignment at the agency and were sent back to their home offices. The National Counterterrorism Center was not impacted by the cuts.

Pulte has been consulting career intelligence officials on the cuts, which represent the first major move in his mandate to make drastic reductions at the spy office. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) has been a target of some on the right who believe it is made up of a “deep state” determined to undermine the president.

Reaction

Top Democrats on the Senate and House Intelligence Committees have warned that mass cuts could risk US national security. In a letter to Pulte, Sen. Mark Warner and Rep. Jim Himes wrote, “We are concerned by reports that you intend to fire or place on leave hundreds of Office of the Director of National Intelligence officers as soon as this week.”

Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.