Acting DNI Pulte Cuts 30% of Intelligence Staff Ahead of Clayton Confirmation
Acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte announced a fifth round of layoffs at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), reducing staff by approximately 30% from weeks prior. The cuts, announced via social media, come hours before the Senate is expected to confirm Jay Clayton as permanent DNI. Pulte, who lacks national security experience, has overseen rapid downsizing following predecessor Tulsi Gabbard’s earlier reductions. The move has drawn criticism amid ongoing declassification of foreign election interference documents.
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ODNI Transition to Begin Monday as Clayton Confirmed
Acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte announced over the weekend that he will begin transitioning away from his role starting Monday, amid ongoing questions about why he remained in the position leading the intelligence community. This follows the Senate's confirmation of President Trump's nominee, Jay Clayton, to lead the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) on Tuesday. The transition marks a key leadership change in the U.S. intelligence community, with Clayton set to take over the agency responsible for coordinating intelligence efforts across the government.
Senate Confirms Jay Clayton as Trump's Intelligence Director
The Senate confirmed Jay Clayton as President Trump's second permanent Director of National Intelligence in a 51-47 vote, replacing acting director Bill Pulte. Clayton, a former SEC chairman and current U.S. attorney, faced bipartisan scrutiny during his confirmation hearing for declining to state that Joe Biden won the 2020 election and for subpoenas issued to New York Times journalists, which were later withdrawn. Democrats initially viewed Clayton as a stabilizing alternative to Pulte, who oversaw repeated personnel cuts at ODNI, but ultimately opposed him along party lines. Clayton emphasized linking economic security to national security. His confirmation may revive negotiations to reauthorize Section 702 of FISA, which lapsed in June after Democrats blocked renewal due to Pulte's tenure.
Senate Confirms Jay Clayton as Trump's Intelligence Director
The U.S. Senate confirmed Jay Clayton as President Trump's second permanent Director of National Intelligence in a 51-47 vote, replacing acting director Bill Pulte. Clayton, a former SEC chairman and current U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, faced bipartisan scrutiny during his confirmation hearing for declining to directly state that Joe Biden won the 2020 election and for subpoenas issued to New York Times journalists. Democrats initially viewed Clayton as a stabilizing alternative to Pulte, who oversaw repeated personnel cuts at ODNI during his six-week tenure. Clayton's confirmation may revive negotiations over Section 702 of FISA, which lapsed in June after Democrats blocked renewal due to Pulte's installation. Clayton signaled he wants the intelligence community to focus more on the link between economic competition and national security.
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Senate Confirms Jay Clayton as Trump's Intelligence Director
The U.S. Senate confirmed Jay Clayton as President Donald Trump's second permanent Director of National Intelligence in a 51-47 vote, replacing acting director Bill Pulte. Clayton, a former SEC chairman and current U.S. attorney, will oversee the 18-agency intelligence community. His confirmation ends Pulte's six-week tenure marked by staff cuts and accusations of politicization. Democrats initially saw Clayton as a stabilizing force but turned against him after he declined to affirm that Joe Biden won the 2020 election. Clayton also faced scrutiny over subpoenas issued to New York Times journalists regarding Air Force One security reporting. His arrival may revive negotiations on Section 702 of FISA, which lapsed in June due to Democratic opposition tied to Pulte's leadership. Clayton emphasized linking economic security to national security, drawing on his financial markets experience.
Acting DNI Pulte Announces 30% ODNI Staff Reduction Hours Before Senate Confirmation Vote on Permanent Director
Acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte announced a fifth and 'near final' round of terminations at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) on Tuesday, resulting in an approximately 30% staff reduction from weeks ago. The announcement came hours before the Senate was expected to confirm Jay Clayton, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York and former SEC chair, as the permanent DNI. Pulte did not disclose the number of workers affected, which parts of ODNI were targeted, or whether the terminations involved dismissals from federal service or intelligence officers returning to their home agencies. The baseline for the 30% reduction was also unclear, as ODNI had already undergone substantial downsizing under former director Tulsi Gabbard. Pulte, who also leads the Federal Housing Finance Agency, has moved rapidly to shrink the office since becoming acting director in June, drawing criticism over his lack of intelligence experience. Clayton is expected to be confirmed after clearing a procedural vote 51-43 along party lines.
Pulte Announces 30% ODNI Staff Reduction Hours Before Senate Vote on Permanent DNI
Acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte announced a fifth round of terminations at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) on Tuesday, resulting in an approximately 30% staff reduction from weeks ago. The announcement came hours before the Senate was expected to confirm Jay Clayton as the permanent DNI, replacing Pulte. Pulte did not disclose the number of workers affected or which parts of ODNI were targeted. The cuts follow previous reductions under former DNI Tulsi Gabbard and Pulte's earlier actions since becoming acting director in June, including the departure of career employees and the return of intelligence officers to home agencies. Pulte's appointment drew criticism due to his lack of intelligence experience and his role at the Federal Housing Finance Agency. Clayton, a former SEC chair and current U.S. attorney, is expected to be confirmed in a party-line vote.
Acting DNI Pulte Announces 30% ODNI Staff Reduction Hours Before Senate Confirmation Vote on Permanent Replacement
Acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte announced a fifth round of terminations at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) on Tuesday, resulting in an approximately 30% staff reduction from weeks ago. The announcement came hours before the Senate was expected to confirm Jay Clayton as the permanent DNI. Pulte did not disclose the number of workers affected, which parts of ODNI were targeted, or whether terminations involved dismissals or returns to home agencies. The reduction follows previous downsizing under former director Tulsi Gabbard. Pulte, who also leads the Federal Housing Finance Agency, has faced criticism for his lack of intelligence experience and his involvement in a document declassification spree. The Senate is scheduled to vote on Clayton's nomination Tuesday night, with confirmation expected after a party-line procedural vote.
Intelligence Chief Bill Pulte Celebrates Fifth Round of Job Cuts as Senate Prepares to Confirm Replacement
Interim Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte announced a fifth and 'near final' round of terminations at the agency on Tuesday, amounting to a 30% staff reduction from weeks ago. Pulte stated on X that the intelligence community must protect the American people, not the 'political whims of the bloated and corrupt elite class.' This comes as the Senate is scheduled to vote on confirming Jay Clayton, the U.S. District Attorney for the Southern District of New York, as Pulte's permanent replacement. Clayton would succeed Tulsi Gabbard, who resigned in May. The article notes this is a developing story.
Acting DNI Bill Pulte Fires 30% of Intelligence Staff in Fifth Purge Ahead of Replacement
Acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte announced a fifth round of terminations, cutting approximately 30% of the remaining staff at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI). The announcement was made via X post, citing transparency and declassification efforts. Pulte, who took over after Tulsi Gabbard's exit, has no national security experience, a requirement for the role. His tenure ends soon as Jay Clayton, also lacking national security experience, is expected to be confirmed by the Senate. The purge follows previous layoffs of 500 people under Gabbard and 200 since June 1. Pulte also recently declassified documents on foreign election interference, notably regarding the 2020 election.
Acting DNI Bill Pulte Fires 30% of Intelligence Staff Ahead of Departure
Acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte announced a fifth round of layoffs on July 28, 2026, cutting approximately 30% of the remaining workforce at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI). The announcement was made via an X post, citing transparency and a need to protect the American people from a 'bloated and corrupt elite class.' Pulte took over the role on June 19 after Tulsi Gabbard's sudden exit; Gabbard had previously claimed to have fired 500 people, also about 30% of the workforce. The layoffs follow a recent declassification of documents detailing foreign threats to prior U.S. elections, notably the 2020 presidential cycle. Pulte, who also heads the Federal Housing Finance Agency, has no national security experience, a fact that stalled his potential permanent nomination. His successor, Jay Clayton, is expected to be confirmed by the Senate on the same day and also lacks national security experience.
Trump's Acting Intel Chief Fires 30% of Intelligence Staff Days Before Departure
Acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte announced a fifth round of terminations, cutting approximately 30% of the remaining staff at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI). The announcement was made via X (formerly Twitter) on July 28, 2026, just two days after releasing declassified documents on foreign election interference. Pulte, who also heads the Federal Housing Finance Agency, took over on June 19 after Tulsi Gabbard's sudden exit. Gabbard had previously claimed to have fired 500 people during her tenure. Pulte's time at ODNI is ending as his nominated successor, Jay Clayton, is expected to be confirmed by the Senate. Both Pulte and Clayton lack national security experience, and both have cast doubt on the 2020 presidential election results. The article also notes that 200 ODNI employees had been laid off or reassigned since June 1.
Pulte completes fifth round of intelligence community layoffs ahead of Clayton confirmation vote
Acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte, in what are expected to be his final hours in the role, completed a fifth round of layoffs at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI). Pulte stated that these layoffs will result in a cumulative 30 percent reduction of ODNI staff. The move comes ahead of a confirmation vote for his successor, likely nominee John Clayton. The layoffs represent a significant downsizing of the intelligence community's top coordinating office.