Acting director for US intelligence announces new round of job cuts
FILE-Acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte attends a kick-off celebration for the "Great American State Fair" on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., June 24, 2026. (Photo by Jemal COUNTESS/AFP via Getty Images)
Bill Pulte, the acting director of National Intelligence, announced a third round of staff reductions last week after being urged by President Donald Trump to diminish the federal agency's workforce.
A few roles or personnel that were being terminated at the federal agency were not revealed, Reuters reported.
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Since President Donald Trump returned to the White House last year, his administration has gutted federal agencies to manage what it deems wasteful spending and fraud, but political experts argued that the effort has resulted in the elimination of critical roles within the federal government.
Pulte talks U.S. National intelligence job cuts
What they're saying:
Pulte posted on his official X account on July 10, writing: "U.S. National Intelligence is operating more efficiently and effectively than ever before, and today, we started a third round of reducing redundant, or non-critical, personnel. DNI’s future is exceptionally bright and will be focused on following the law and the statute."
In June, Reuters reported that employees at the U.S. National Intelligence were told by supervisors to expect major cuts in the coming months after comments by Trump that he wanted the interim director to reduce the agency's workforce.
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Pulte, an ally of President Donald Trump, has no previous national security experience, and Pulte’s appointment to the acting director of National Intelligence has raised concerns he might "weaponize" intelligence against Trump's perceived political adversaries.
In June, President Donald Trump tapped Bill Pulte, who was head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, to serve as acting director of national intelligence.
Trump made the surprise announcement on social media that Pulte would be replacing Tulsi Gabbard, the former Hawaii congresswoman who had served as the director of national intelligence.
Reuters reported that a nomination hearing for Jay Clayton, Trump's nominee to serve as the next U.S. director of National Intelligence to lead the country’s 18 intelligence agencies, is set for July 15.
The Source: Information for this story was provided by Reuters and The Associated Press. This story was reported from Washington, D.C.