WASHINGTON — Acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte is seeking to dismiss hundreds of employees at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), according to a CNN report cited by Reuters, as the Trump administration moves forward with plans to significantly reduce the size of the agency that coordinates the U.S. intelligence community.
Pulte, a former housing regulator appointed earlier this month by President Donald Trump to serve as acting intelligence chief, arrived at ODNI headquarters ahead of formally assuming the role and requested information on agency personnel as part of an effort to evaluate potential staff reductions, CNN reported, citing sources familiar with the matter. The ODNI did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the report.
The reported dismissals would affect an agency that has already undergone substantial reductions. Former Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard reduced ODNI staffing by about 40% during her tenure, according to Reuters. Employees were previously informed by managers to expect additional cuts after Trump publicly called for the office to be downsized.
Trump has repeatedly argued that the ODNI has become too large. Earlier this month, he said he had instructed Pulte to carry out “the immediate and needed downsizing of the office” and return personnel to their home agencies where appropriate. The ODNI was created after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks to improve coordination among the nation’s intelligence organizations, including the CIA, NSA and other agencies.
The reported plans have drawn criticism from congressional Democrats. Representative Jim Himes of Connecticut, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said that if the reports were accurate, they reinforced concerns about Pulte’s appointment. “Mr. Pulte should expect the Intelligence Committee to closely scrutinize any actions he takes,” Himes said in a statement reported by Reuters.
Pulte’s appointment has been controversial because he lacks a background in intelligence or national security. Trump selected him to replace Gabbard on an interim basis while nominating former federal prosecutor Jay Clayton to serve as permanent director of national intelligence. Clayton’s confirmation process remains pending.
The staffing changes come amid broader political disputes over intelligence oversight and the future of a key U.S. foreign surveillance authority. Congressional debates over renewing surveillance powers have been complicated by disagreements surrounding Pulte’s role and the administration’s plans for the intelligence community.
As of Saturday, no official figure had been released for the number of positions that could be eliminated. The ODNI had not publicly announced a formal restructuring plan, and details regarding the scope and timing of any dismissals remained unclear.
