Acting DNI Bill Pulte announces fifth round of staff cuts, hours before Clayton confirmed

WASHINGTON (TNND) — A fifth round of staff reductions at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence was announced Tuesday, just hours before the Senate confirmed Jay Clayton to become the next Director of National Intelligence.

Acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte disclosed the latest cuts in a brief post on ‘X,’ describing them as a fifth and “near final round” of terminations at ODNI. The reductions cap an overall 30% staffing decrease since Pulte took over in June, part of restructuring efforts under the Trump administration. (TNND)

Acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte disclosed the latest cuts in a brief post on ‘X,’ describing them as a fifth and “near final round” of terminations at ODNI. The reductions cap an overall 30% staffing decrease since Pulte took over in June, part of restructuring efforts under the Trump administration.

In his post Tuesday morning, Pulte wrote in part, “The Intelligence Community must protect the American people, NOT the political whims of the bloated and corrupt elite class.

The layoffs build on the “ODNI 2.0” initiative started by Pulte’s predecessor, Tulsi Gabbard, who cut the agency by hundreds during her tenure. In an August 2025 appearance on Fox News, Gabbard said, “We will save taxpayers more than $700 million every year, cutting the organization by over 40%.”

On Capitol Hill, Republicans and Democrats have both criticized ODNI as too large in recent years, but they have differed sharply on how reductions should be carried out.

Sen. Tom Cotton said in mid July, “The ODNI has unfortunately become yet another bloated agency that incentivizes bureaucratic make work as opposed to genuine intelligence work.

Meanwhile, Democrats have emphasized efficiency while warning that aggressive mass firings could undermine national security. Shortly after Pulte was named acting DNI, Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) and Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT) wrote to him raising concerns about further downsizing. In the letter, they wrote, “While there is room to consider responsible reductions to ODNI’s workforce, 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.”

Himes also warned in a June 2026 interview on MS Now that sweeping firings could have serious consequences.

If he just starts willy-nilly firing people, it is going to increase the probability that there is a terrorist attack inside the United States. It is going to increase the ability of cartel people to move fentanyl and weapons into the U.S.,” Himes said.

NBC News reported that Pulte’s fifth round of cuts could leave ODNI with about 1,000 employees, down from roughly 2,000 at the start of Trump’s second term. Clayton was officially confirmed by the Senate on Tuesday.