Bill Pulte began reducing staff at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) shortly after being appointed acting DNI by former President Donald Trump on June 19, 2026 [1, 2, 3, 4]. Pulte fired at least six political appointees and ordered around 45 career intelligence staff on joint duty assignment to return to their home agencies, totaling 51 positions eliminated so far [1, 2, 4]. Trump instructed Pulte to "execute the immediate and needed downsizing of the office" upon his appointment [2, 3].
Pulte surprised both staff and his predecessor, Tulsi Gabbard, by arriving early and quickly demanding a list of all ODNI employees to assess further firings [2, 3]. While some ODNI deputies advocated deeper cuts, Pulte limited initial reductions to 51 positions pending further review [4]. Staff assigned to the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) were spared from this round of cuts [2, 4]. Pulte said, "Today, I spent time with the National Counterterrorism Center team, who is doing an incredible job protecting our Country under President Trump's leadership. The room was filled with true professionals and American patriots. It is a privilege to work beside them" [2].
Former DNI Tulsi Gabbard had implemented a 40% workforce cut in August 2025, reducing the ODNI from about 2,000 employees to roughly 1,300, aiming to reduce inefficiency and politicization [1, 4]. Some lawmakers expressed concern about the impact of further staff losses. Senators Mark Warner and Jim Himes warned that "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" [1]. Sen. Thom Tillis criticized Pulte, calling him "an incompetent sycophant and not the right person to lead DNI" [1].
Conflicting reports emerged about whether the NCTC would face layoffs, with some sources suggesting hundreds of firings there, while Pulte's office denied any impact on NCTC staff in this round [1, 2, 3, 4]. Similarly, some reports said hundreds could be fired overall, but sources close to Pulte indicated only about 51 total cuts had occurred, with a few more possible but unlikely to exceed that number soon [1, 2, 3, 4].
Pulte has consulted with ODNI deputies and staff about further reductions but has so far kept cuts limited. The situation remains fluid as the office adjusts under Pulte's leadership.
The next steps include monitoring any additional personnel actions following Pulte’s initial round, which took effect between June 22 and June 23, 2026 [1, 2, 3, 4].
