Trump Orders Review And Cuts Of Intelligence Community Personnel Under Pulte

President Donald Trump has instructed incoming Acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte to begin reducing the size of the U.S. intelligence community, signaling a major personnel shake-up at the agency responsible for coordinating the nation’s 18 intelligence organizations.

Speaking about the transition in leadership at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), Trump said he wants Pulte to “start the process” of removing intelligence officials and shrinking the workforce. The president argued that the intelligence community has become too large, saying there are “a lot of people in there that shouldn’t be there.”

Pulte, who currently serves as director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), was selected earlier this week to replace outgoing Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard on an interim basis. Gabbard announced in May that she would resign effective June 30 after her husband was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer, according to Reuters.

Trump discussed his expectations for Pulte in an interview with The Wall Street Journal, portions of which were cited by Fox News. The president said he would like to see the intelligence community become smaller and indicated he has already conveyed that message to Pulte.

The ODNI oversees coordination among 18 intelligence agencies and organizations, including the CIA, National Security Agency and Defense Intelligence Agency. The office was established following the September 11 terrorist attacks to improve information-sharing and coordination across the intelligence community.

Pulte’s appointment has drawn criticism from some lawmakers in both parties. Several Republicans and Democrats have questioned the decision to place a housing regulator with no national security background in charge of the nation’s intelligence apparatus. Reuters reported that concerns about Pulte’s appointment have become entangled with a separate fight in Congress over reauthorizing Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), a key surveillance authority used to monitor foreign threats.

According to Fox News, Senate Majority Leader John Thune criticized the selection, saying intelligence agencies require professional leadership rather than a “weaponized DNI.” Trump, however, told the Wall Street Journal that Pulte’s status as an outsider was one reason he selected him for the role. The president said an interim leader can carry out difficult restructuring work before a permanent nominee is chosen.

Trump also addressed the issue during remarks in the Oval Office, saying an acting director could help implement reductions before a long-term replacement arrives. He indicated that a search for a permanent director remains underway.

The leadership transition comes at a time when the U.S. intelligence community is heavily engaged in monitoring several international security challenges, including ongoing tensions involving Iran, Russia and China. Reuters noted earlier this week that intelligence agencies are playing a significant role as the administration navigates multiple foreign policy and security issues around the world.

Pulte, 38, is expected to assume the acting DNI position when Gabbard’s resignation takes effect on June 30 while continuing to lead the FHFA and serve as chairman of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, according to announcements made by the administration and reported by Reuters.

Meanwhile, debate over intelligence oversight remains active on Capitol Hill. Senate Democrats recently opposed advancing legislation to renew key FISA surveillance authorities, citing concerns surrounding Pulte’s appointment and the future direction of intelligence leadership.