Acting DNI announces fifth round of ODNI staff cuts

Acting Director of National Intelligence William Pulte announced a fifth and near-final round of staff reductions on Tuesday, July 28, stating the Office of the Director of National Intelligence is now approximately 30 percent smaller than it was weeks ago. The announcement came as the Senate prepared to vote on confirming Jay Clayton as the permanent director later that evening.

Pulte, who also serves as director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, stated on social media that the latest action was part of a series of "thoughtful, measured layoffs" intended to refocus the intelligence community on national security. He linked the staff reductions to broader transparency efforts, referencing recent declassifications of intelligence documents authorized by President Donald Trump. "The Intelligence Community must protect the American people, NOT the political whims of the bloated and corrupt elite class," Pulte wrote.

This fifth round follows a fourth batch of layoffs that Pulte announced late on July 27. He has conducted multiple rounds of personnel changes since assuming the acting role on June 19, following the departure of former Director Tulsi Gabbard. Gabbard had...