Trump Orders William Pulte To Execute ODNI Downsizing, Firings Begin Monday

Large-scale cuts at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence began on Monday, a source familiar with the matter told CNN, as President Donald Trump’s acting director of national intelligence William Pulte had been considering imposing them at ODNI.

CNN reported that Pulte showed up to his new job a day early after asking for a list of every employee in the office, catching even outgoing director Tulsi Gabbard off-guard.

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The firings came as sources told CNN that the National Counterterrorism Center and the National Counterintelligence and Security Center were expected to be hit hard by the cuts.

When asked about the firings, a White House official pointed to Trump’s Truth Social post, in which Trump wrote, "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."

CNN also reported that Pulte was in the Oval Office as Trump signed executive orders on Monday.

Top Democrats on the Senate and House Intelligence Committees sent a letter on Monday to Pulte warning him of the risks of making large cuts to the workforce.

Sen. Mark Warner and Rep. Jim Himes wrote, "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."

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The lawmakers added that while there is room to consider responsible reductions, "any large cuts would follow on a substantial downsizing that has already occurred in 2025 and risk jeopardizing the mission of an organization explicitly created after 9/11 to prevent any future such terrorist attack," according to CNN.

The Hill reported that Intelligence Democrats warned Pulte against carrying out sweeping firings as Congress braces for his controversial first week on the job.

The Hill also said Pulte was tapped by Trump to lead ODNI on an acting basis, sidestepping the traditional Senate confirmation required for the role.

CNN reported that Pulte oversees 18 intelligence agencies, and it said his appointment caused significant consternation on Capitol Hill as lawmakers raced to try to confirm Jay Clayton, now the US attorney in Manhattan, to the position permanently.

The Hill reported that Pulte also remains the head of a federal housing agency and that he was slated to start Friday, while Intelligence Democrats warned him about firings and improperly declassifying intelligence.

The Hill quoted Warner and Himes warning that "Making significant structural changes to ODNI, to include a reduction in force, is not an appropriate course of action for anyone in an acting capacity, let alone without consultation with Congress," as Congress braces for the new intelligence chief’s first week.

The Washington Times said the ODNI crisis dredged up criticism that has plagued the intelligence office, arguing that the office is vulnerable to politicization and that Trump directed Pulte to significantly downsize the office.

The Washington Times also included Sen. Ron Wyden’s warning that "black-letter reform is really the key," as he advocated for legislative changes to ensure ODNI cannot be used for political purposes.