ODNI Announces New Layoffs Under Acting Director Bill Pulte

William “Bill” Pulte, the Acting Director of National Intelligence, recently revealed that his team has conducted a fourth round of layoffs at the Office of the DNI (ODNI).

Pulte, who stepped into the role on June 19, was appointed by President Donald Trump with a mission to downsize the ODNI, which oversees the nation’s intelligence community. He emphasized that the process is being handled thoughtfully and with purpose.

“Since becoming Acting Director, our team has been smartly and carefully reducing the size of the ODNI, refocusing on national security, law, and the mission,” Pulte shared via social media on Sunday.

Trump had directed Pulte, who also heads the Federal Housing Finance Agency, to carry out immediate downsizing measures, returning staff to their respective agencies.

At the beginning of Trump’s second term, the ODNI was believed to be employing around 2,000 individuals. Former DNI Tulsi Gabbard claimed she had cut the workforce by approximately 30% during her time in office.

In addition to restructuring, Pulte has been authorized by the president to “declassify whatever you want.” This directive appears to be aimed at increasing transparency.

“It has only been a few weeks since I became Acting Director, and President Trump has acted swiftly to safeguard the nation against foreign influence while promoting transparency through declassifications!” Pulte announced on Sunday.

On the same day, Pulte also released several recently declassified documents, including information related to foreign interference in U.S. elections.

However, Pulte’s appointment has faced backlash from Democratic senators, who argue he lacks intelligence experience and has unfairly targeted Trump’s alleged political adversaries over supposed mortgage fraud.

“Bill Pulte is a partisan with no intelligence background. He is yet another unqualified Trump appointee who will compromise our safety,” stated Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) in early June.

While Pulte has been given specific goals during his brief tenure, Trump has additionally nominated Jay Clayton, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, to assume the permanent position of U.S. National Intelligence head.

Recently, the Senate Intelligence Committee voted to advance Clayton’s nomination, reportedly without any Democratic support, following his confirmation hearing in mid-July. A Senate vote on Clayton’s nomination could take place as soon as Monday.