Acting DNI Bill Pulte launches major ODNI staff cuts, dismisses six appointees
Acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte began cutting staff at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence after arriving a day early and requesting a full employee roster. CNN reported that the request signaled his intention to eliminate hundreds of positions. He then moved to implement the reductions, with CNN noting that he had started cutting hundreds of positions and NBC News reporting terminations at the National Counterterrorism Center, drawing criticism from congressional intelligence committees.
CBS later said six intelligence employees were terminated and 45 career officials were reassigned to their original agencies. CNN confirmed that six political appointees were dismissed and dozens of career staff were sent back to their home agencies, marking the first major step in his downsizing mandate.
