Acting DNI Announces Layoffs
William “Bill” Pulte, the Acting Director of National Intelligence, has revealed that the Office of the DNI is in the process of completing a fifth round of layoffs, aligning with President Trump’s initiative to downsize the agency.
“Good News! In addition to the Historic DECLASSIFICATIONS (Transparency!) by the President, we are, this morning, Executing a 5th and Near Final Round of TERMINATIONS, an approximately 30% Reduction from Weeks Ago,” Pulte shared on social media.
He positioned these layoffs as a necessary step to combat what he termed the “bloated corrupt elite class,” emphasizing that intelligence operations need to prioritize serving the American people rather than political interests.
“The Intelligence Community must protect the American people, NOT the political whims of the bloated and corrupt elite class,” he stated.
This announcement follows a similar one from Monday regarding a fourth round of layoffs aimed at refocusing the ODNI on national security efforts.
Before stepping into his role in mid-June, Pulte was instructed by Trump to streamline the office, which oversees the Intelligence Community and to send staff back to their original agencies.
While exact numbers are hard to come by, estimates suggest the office may have employed up to 2,000 individuals at the start of Trump’s second term.
Significantly, former DNI Tulsi Gabbard had also made cuts, laying off over 500 staff members and accomplishing a nearly 30% reduction in size, as noted in a fact sheet issued by the ODNI last year.
“Over the last 20 years, ODNI has become bloated, radically expanded in size, and distracted by tasks and requirements that fall outside of its mandate,” the fact sheet indicated.
The purpose of these downsizing efforts is to eliminate excess and potentially save hundreds of millions of dollars each year for taxpayers.
It is anticipated that Pulte won’t hold the position for long, as the Senate is expected to confirm his permanent successor, Jay Clayton, who currently serves as the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York.
