New Intel Chief Initiates Job Cuts Amid Controversy
WHO:
CNN - Bill Pulte, acting director of national intelligence, appointed by Trump.
CNN - Tulsi Gabbard, outgoing director of national intelligence.
CNN - Sen. Mark Warner and Rep. Jim Himes, top Democrats on the Senate and House Intelligence Committees.
WHAT:
CNN - Pulte showed up to his new job a day early after asking for a list of every employee in the office, catching outgoing director Tulsi Gabbard off-guard.
CNN - A source familiar with the matter indicated that the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) and the National Counterintelligence and Security Center are expected to be hit hard by the cuts.
Reddit Conspiracy - Pulte told staff at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence late Thursday that he wants a list of about 300 employees to fire in the coming weeks.
CNN - The firings at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) have begun, with a source stating, “The deep state firings have begun,” although the exact number of jobs cut has not been disclosed.
Reddit Conspiracy - Pulte told staff he wants a list of about 300 employees to fire in the coming weeks, indicating a significant reduction in workforce.
CNN - Large-scale job cuts at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) began on a Monday.
CNN - Pulte is looking to cut about 300 jobs at ODNI.
CNN - The National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) and the National Counterintelligence and Security Center are expected to be significantly affected by the cuts.
Reddit Conspiracy - Pulte told staff he wants a list of about 300 employees to fire in the coming weeks.
WHERE:
CNN - Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI).
WHEN:
CNN - Pulte took over as acting director of national intelligence on June 19th.
WHY:
CNN - Sen. Mark Warner and Rep. Jim Himes expressed concerns in a letter to Pulte, stating, “Given your lack of experience within the Intelligence Community, it is difficult to imagine that in such a short amount of time you have already developed fully informed views as to how to shrink ODNI without incurring risks to national security.”
CNN - Sen. Mark Warner and Rep. Jim Himes expressed concerns in a letter to Pulte, stating, “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.”
CNN - The cuts are part of a "downsizing" initiative as indicated by Trump.
CNN - Concerns were raised by Warner and Himes regarding the risks of large cuts to the workforce, citing potential jeopardization of national security.
HOW:
CNN - Pulte met with lawyers and staffers on his first day, indicating an active engagement in the transition process.
CNN - Pulte requested a list of every employee in the office upon starting his role.
CNN - Trump indicated the need for downsizing in a post on Truth Social.
(UPDATED June 23, 2026 04:21 UTC)
Pulte surprised everyone by showing up to his new job a day early, catching outgoing director Tulsi Gabbard off-guard after requesting a list of every employee in the office. A source has revealed that the National Counterterrorism Center and the National Counterintelligence and Security Center are expected to face significant budget cuts, while Pulte has indicated plans to fire around 300 employees at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence in the coming weeks. Concerns have been raised by Senator Mark Warner and Representative Jim Himes, who questioned Pulte's lack of experience in the Intelligence Community and his ability to make informed decisions about shrinking the office without risking national security.
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(UPDATED June 23, 2026 01:40 UTC)
The firings at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence have officially begun, with reports indicating that a significant reduction in workforce is planned, as Pulte has requested a list of about 300 employees to be let go in the coming weeks. Concerns have been raised by Senator Mark Warner and Representative Jim Himes, who warned that any large cuts could jeopardize the mission of the ODNI, which was established to prevent future terrorist attacks after 9/11. On his first day, Pulte actively engaged with lawyers and staffers, signaling a hands-on approach to the transition process.
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(UPDATED June 22, 2026 23:25 UTC)
Bill Pulte has been appointed as the acting director of national intelligence by Trump, taking over from Tulsi Gabbard, and he is now overseeing significant job cuts at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. Pulte is looking to eliminate about 300 positions, which will notably impact the National Counterterrorism Center and the National Counterintelligence and Security Center, raising concerns from Senator Mark Warner and Representative Jim Himes about potential risks to national security. As part of this downsizing initiative, Pulte has requested a list of employees to be let go, following Trump's indication of the need for workforce reductions.