Trump’s acting director of national intelligence begins firings at agency, sources say
President Donald Trump’s acting director of national intelligence has wasted no time in making changes at the agency, according to sources familiar with the matter. Bill Pulte, a Trump loyalist without any prior intelligence experience, recently assumed control of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) and immediately set out to reduce the agency’s workforce. Reports suggest that the National Counterterrorism Center is expected to bear the brunt of these job cuts.
It remains unclear how many positions have already been affected by Pulte’s actions, as ODNI has not yet responded to requests for comment. The White House, deferring questions to ODNI, pointed to a recent social media post by President Trump in which he directed Pulte to initiate significant downsizing at the agency.
President Trump has been vocal about his desire to see a reduction in staff at ODNI, citing the agency’s size as excessive. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Trump expressed his support for Pulte’s efforts to streamline the organization, describing him as “less shackled” in his role as acting director.
Prior to Pulte’s appointment, Trump had nominated Jay Clayton, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, to lead ODNI permanently. However, amid criticism from both Democrats and Republicans regarding Pulte’s lack of experience, Trump announced a halt to Clayton’s confirmation process until his choice for Clayton’s replacement in New York, Jamie McDonald, is confirmed.
Pulte officially assumed control of ODNI last Friday, with Monday marking only his second full day in the position. Known for launching investigations into individuals deemed as political adversaries of the president, Pulte has targeted figures such as Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, New York Attorney General Letitia James, Senator Adam Schiff, and former Congressman Eric Swalwell on allegations of mortgage fraud and abuse of power. All individuals under investigation have denied any wrongdoing.
Pulte’s appointment has also had repercussions on national security, resulting in the expiration of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which permits the government to collect foreign communications without a warrant.
As the reorganization of ODNI continues under Pulte’s leadership, the future of the agency and its critical role in national security remains uncertain. The ongoing changes raise concerns about the impact on intelligence operations and the agency’s ability to effectively carry out its mission in safeguarding the country’s security interests.
