Acting Director of National Intelligence William Pulte reported on Sunday that his office has completed a fourth series of layoffs. In a message on X, he stated, ‘Since becoming Acting Director of National Intelligence, our team has been smartly, and carefully, reducing the size of [the Office of the Director of National Intelligence], re-focusing ODNI on national security, the law, and the statute.’
Pulte noted the latest layoffs as thoughtful and measured, expressing thanks for the progress. This follows a July 10 post where he emphasized improvements in efficiency and effectiveness, citing earlier rounds of personnel reductions. He affirmed that the future of the DNI is promising, with a focus on legal adherence and statutory responsibilities.
Pulte, also director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, was appointed as acting DNI by President Donald Trump. He stepped into the role following Tulsi Gabbard’s departure, which she announced due to her husband’s health concerns.
In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Trump expressed his belief that the ODNI was unnecessarily large, noting carryovers from previous administrations. He encouraged Pulte to initiate restructuring efforts, with the understanding that a permanent DNI nominee would continue this work.
Subsequently, Trump nominated U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton for the DNI position. Pulte expressed gratitude to the president on his X account, highlighting accomplishments in both operations and transparency during his short tenure.
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