Firings Begin at Office of Director of National Intelligence Amid Downsizing Efforts

Job cuts have commenced at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence as acting director Bill Pulte implements a downsizing directive from President Trump, raising concerns among lawmakers about national security.

Job terminations have started at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), according to a source who spoke to CNN. Bill Pulte, appointed as the acting director of national intelligence, has been contemplating job cuts following President Donald Trump's request to downsize the office and return personnel to their respective agencies.

The firings commenced on Monday, with a source familiar with the situation indicating that the cuts could affect hundreds of positions within the ODNI. "The deep state firings have begun," the source stated, although they did not disclose the exact number of jobs eliminated.

Sources had previously informed CNN that Pulte was considering significant reductions within the ODNI, particularly impacting the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) and the National Counterintelligence and Security Center. Just last week, Pulte arrived at his new position a day ahead of schedule after requesting a list of all employees, which reportedly surprised the outgoing director, Tulsi Gabbard.

In light of the impending firings, top Democrats from the Senate and House Intelligence Committees sent a letter to Pulte on Monday, expressing their concerns regarding the potential workforce reductions. Senators Mark Warner and Rep. Jim Himes cautioned, "We are concerned by reports that you intend to fire or place on leave hundreds of Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) officers as soon as this week."

The lawmakers acknowledged that while there may be justification for some workforce reductions, significant cuts could undermine the mission of the ODNI, which was established after the September 11 attacks to prevent future terrorist threats. They emphasized, "Given your lack of experience within the Intelligence Community, it is difficult to imagine that in such a short amount of time you have already developed fully informed views as to how to shrink ODNI without incurring risks to national security."

The letter further advised Pulte to refrain from making considerable structural changes or workforce reductions without consulting Congress, particularly while serving in an acting capacity.

In response to inquiries about the firings, a White House official referenced Trump's recent post on Truth Social, in which he indicated a plan for "downsizing" within the ODNI. Trump stated, "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, reverting staff to their home agencies."

Pulte was present in the Oval Office as Trump signed executive orders on the same day the firings began. Upon his early arrival to the office, he met with legal advisors and staff members. As the director of national intelligence, Pulte is responsible for overseeing 18 intelligence agencies.

His appointment has raised eyebrows among some of Trump's closest advisers and caused significant unease on Capitol Hill, where lawmakers were hurriedly attempting to confirm Jay Clayton, currently the U.S. attorney in Manhattan, for the position permanently. However, Trump unexpectedly halted Clayton's participation in the confirmation process.

Although Trump has indicated that Pulte's role is meant to be temporary, the duration of this acting position remains uncertain. Gabbard, who previously held the office, utilized her time there to investigate allegations of voter fraud related to the 2020 election, which Trump lost, leading to concerns that Pulte may intensify those investigations.

During Gabbard's tenure, her photographs adorned the halls of the DNI offices in northern Virginia; however, sources confirmed that these images have all been removed as of Monday. The photographs had been taken by her husband, a professional photographer.

This article has been updated with additional reporting.