Trump-Appointed Acting DNI Bill Pulte Begins Ruthless Purge at ODNI, Threatening National Security
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Bill Pulte, handpicked by President Trump as acting director of national intelligence, has initiated sweeping layoffs at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, drawing sharp criticism from congressional intelligence committees concerned about the gutting of critical oversight and expertise.
On Monday, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) began a drastic wave of personnel cuts, according to a source familiar with the process. These reductions, orchestrated by Bill Pulte—the acting director of national intelligence installed by President Donald Trump—are being described as 'downsizing,' but in reality, they represent a reckless purge of experienced public servants. Pulte plans to force staff back to their home agencies, undermining the collaborative intelligence efforts built since 9/11.
The source confirmed that firings have already begun, though the exact number of positions eliminated remains undisclosed. Early reports indicate that the National Counterterrorism Center and the National Counterintelligence and Security Center, both crucial to national safety, are among the hardest hit.
Outraged senators and representatives on the Senate and House intelligence committees have sent a letter to Pulte, voicing grave concerns over the planned dismissals. 'We are concerned by reports that you intend to fire or place on leave hundreds of ODNI officers as soon as this week,' the letter stated. Lawmakers warned that such large-scale cuts could cripple the agency’s mission, established to prevent another tragedy like September 11, and demanded that Pulte halt these actions until Congress is consulted.
A White House official pointed to President Trump’s recent Truth Social post, in which he ordered Pulte to immediately slash the office’s workforce. 'I have named William Pulte to be Acting Director of National Intelligence, who will take over on June 19th, and have asked him to execute the immediate and needed downsizing of the office,' Trump wrote, signaling a disregard for institutional stability.
Pulte, now overseeing 18 intelligence agencies, arrived at the Oval Office on the day Trump signed executive orders to restructure the intelligence community. His appointment has been met with criticism from both the president’s own advisers and lawmakers, who have repeatedly called for a qualified, permanent nominee instead of political loyalists.
CNN reached out to ODNI for comment, but the agency did not respond, further highlighting the lack of transparency surrounding these dangerous cuts.