Pulte Seeks 100s of ODNI Firings on Day 1 as Trump Pushes Steeper Cuts
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Jun 19
Pulte Seeks 100s of ODNI Firings on Day 1 as Trump Pushes Steeper Cuts
3 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Jun 19
Summary
Bill Pulte asked for a full ODNI staff list on his first day running U.S. intelligence, setting up potential firings of hundreds of employees.
Trump has urged far deeper cuts than ODNI's existing downsizing, saying in early June that Pulte should fire “a lot of people” and use his acting status to move quickly.
People familiar with Pulte's thinking said leak anger is driving the purge, with Gabbard-era staffers and close aides emerging as likely targets and Clayton not objecting to those plans.
The move hardens political resistance around the agency: Democrats have frozen a bipartisan push to renew Section 702, and Rep. Jim Himes said Pulte is legally unqualified and will face close scrutiny.
ODNI had already been slated to cut 40% of staff under Tulsi Gabbard in August 2025, a plan she said would save more than $700 million annually.
What are the potential consequences of rapidly restructuring the ODNI while pursuing high-stakes election integrity investigations during a period of global instability?
Trump’s Shakeup of the ODNI: Staff Cuts, Politicization, and National Security Risks
Overview
The appointment of Bill Pulte as interim Director of National Intelligence marks a major turning point for the ODNI, signaling a mandate for downsizing and restructuring. This move is widely seen as President Trump’s effort to pursue his political goals within the intelligence community. Long-standing infighting between the ODNI and CIA has already led to a breakdown in collaboration, especially in producing analytical intelligence. Critics argue that Pulte’s appointment and the push to address perceived politicization could further disrupt intelligence operations, raising concerns about the effectiveness and independence of the nation’s top intelligence office.