Trump Pushes Bill Pulte to Begin Mass Firings at U.S. Intelligence Office
CNBC reported Friday that President Donald Trump wants incoming acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte to immediately begin cutting large portions of staff from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. Trump made the remarks in an interview with The Wall Street Journal, describing the push as part of a broader restructuring of the American intelligence apparatus.
Pulte’s Mandate and the Scale of the DNI Office
The DNI office coordinates 18 separate U.S. intelligence agencies, including the CIA and the National Security Agency. Trump told the Journal he views the office as bloated and has directed Pulte to kick off a reduction process. He added that whichever permanent nominee eventually fills the role should carry that effort further. Trump characterized the office to Pulte as “unnecessary and or too big,” per the Journal’s reporting, and said he believes numerous employees there have no legitimate place in the organization.
A Controversial Appointment From the Start
Pulte’s selection as acting DNI has drawn sharp criticism from both parties in Congress. Republican senators were among those voicing concern earlier this week when Trump announced the appointment. Trump acknowledged Thursday that Pulte’s role is temporary. Pulte, who has no intelligence background, will retain his existing position leading the Federal Housing Finance Agency while serving as acting DNI. Trump said a permanent nominee would eventually be named to take over.
Background: A Workforce Already Significantly Reduced
When Trump began his second term in January 2025, the DNI office employed roughly 1,800 people. His previous DNI, Tulsi Gabbard, cut nearly 30% of that workforce after her Senate confirmation and had signaled plans to reduce headcount further. The new wave of proposed cuts would go beyond what Gabbard implemented, continuing a pattern of downsizing across federal intelligence and national security agencies.
Pulte’s Track Record Adds to Concern
Critics of the appointment point not just to Pulte’s lack of intelligence experience but also to his willingness to pursue targets who have drawn Trump’s ire. While at the FHFA, Pulte made criminal referrals alleging mortgage fraud against New York Attorney General Letitia James and Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook. A federal indictment against James related to those referrals was later dismissed by a judge who ruled the U.S. attorney handling the case had been invalidly appointed. Cook, who resisted Trump’s pressure to cut interest rates, remains at the Fed while the Supreme Court considers whether the president can remove her.
The latest directive amplifies existing anxiety on Capitol Hill about the pace and depth of changes being made to U.S. national security institutions.
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