US Intelligence layoffs: Acting DNI Bill Pulte says 30% workforce reduction underway
Acting Director of Intelligence (DNI) Bill Pulte on Tuesday (July 28) announced another round of workforce reductions across the US intelligence community, saying the latest
Acting Director of Intelligence (DNI) Bill Pulte on Tuesday (July 28) announced another round of workforce reductions across the US intelligence community, saying the latest cuts represent an effort to streamline operations and refocus agencies on protecting Americans. Pulte said the intelligence community was carrying out a fifth and near-final round of terminations, describing it as an approximately 30% staff reduction compared with staffing levels from previous weeks. In a post on social media platform X, Pulte wrote: “Good News! In addition to the Historic DECLASSIFICATIONS (Transparency!) by the President, we are, this morning, Executing a 5th and Near Final Round of TERMINATIONS, an approximately 30% Staff Reduction from Weeks Ago.” He added that intelligence agencies should focus on national security rather than what he called the interests of a "bloated and corrupt elite class." “The Intelligence Community must protect the American people, NOT the political whims of the bloated and corrupt elite class,” Pulte said. Intelligence community restructuring The announcement comes as the Trump administration continues efforts to reshape federal agencies, including intelligence organizations, through workforce reductions, restructuring and increased scrutiny of government operations.
Pulte also linked the latest cuts to what he described as broader transparency efforts, pointing to recent declassification actions approved by President Donald Trump. The acting intelligence chief did not provide details on which agencies were affected, how many employees were terminated in the latest round, or which specific positions were eliminated. Bill Pulte's controversial interim tenure Pulte took over as acting DNI after Tulsi Gabbard’s departure and has drawn scrutiny from lawmakers over his background and actions while leading the intelligence community. Before taking the intelligence role, Pulte served as a federal housing regulator and was known for investigations targeting individuals he accused of wrongdoing, including critics of Trump. Senators from both parties have raised concerns about his suitability for overseeing the nation’s intelligence agencies. Pulte releases election-related intelligence documents Hours before the Senate vote on Clayton’s nomination, Pulte released intelligence community documents from 2020 on social media platform X. The documents detailed China’s ability to interfere in the US political process and highlighted vulnerabilities in election systems. However, much of the information was already publicly known, and the release was viewed as part of a broader Trump administration effort to raise concerns about election security and the 2020 presidential race.
The BriefWire