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Firings underway at Office of Director of National Intelligence, source says
MS NOW • • nation
Key Points:
- Workforce reductions at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) began Monday under acting director Bill Pulte, following directives from President Donald Trump to downsize the agency and return personnel to their home agencies.
- Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chairman Mark Warner and House Intelligence Committee top Democrat Jim Himes expressed concerns that large cuts could weaken the ODNI, emphasizing that such significant changes should not be made by an acting director without Congressional consultation.
- Senator Thom Tillis criticized Pulte’s leadership, suggesting he lacks the experience needed for the role and should not be responsible for the downsizing, while predicting ongoing turmoil under his tenure.
- Trump nominated Jay Clayton to serve permanently as DNI chief but delayed the confirmation hearing to allow Pulte to remain as acting director indefinitely, drawing bipartisan backlash over the leadership uncertainty at ODNI.
