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PoliticsActing DNI Bill Pulte Fires Dozens of Intelligence Officials
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Acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte has fired dozens of intelligence officials, according to a report by MS Now on Friday. Pulte, appointed by President Donald Trump in June after Tulsi Gabbard resigned, sent termination notices on Thursday. An anonymous intelligence official said the removals target those considered 'deep state' who allegedly failed to provide complete intelligence pictures. Trump had previously stated he wanted Pulte to begin firing large numbers of DNI employees. The office oversees 18 U.S. intelligence agencies, including the CIA and NSA. The move has drawn sharp bipartisan criticism from Congress. Trump also nominated Jay Clayton as permanent DNI, but canceled his confirmation hearing, allowing Pulte to retain the acting role and access to sensitive intelligence data.
Source report
Acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte has fired dozens of intelligence officials, according to a report from MS Now on Friday.
President Donald Trump appointed Pulte to lead the spy agency in June, following Tulsi Gabbard's resignation from the role.
Key Details
- Pulte sent termination notices to dozens of intelligence officials on Thursday, according to an intelligence official who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal.
- The official told MS Now that the Trump administration was removing officials "who they believe are deep state" and who have allegedly failed to provide complete pictures of available intelligence.
- The White House and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Friday.
Background
CNN first reported last month that Pulte had eliminated several political appointees who served under Tulsi Gabbard, the former director of national intelligence who announced her resignation in May.
Trump reportedly said in early June that he wanted Pulte to "start the process" of firing large numbers of DNI employees. The Office of the DNI oversees 18 U.S. intelligence agencies, including the CIA and the National Security Agency.
The president's decision to tap Pulte has drawn sharp bipartisan criticism from members of Congress.
Pulte's Role and Controversy
Pulte, who also serves as the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), has used his position to investigate opponents of Trump for alleged mortgage fraud.
Amid congressional opposition to Pulte, Trump in June announced that Jay Clayton—the current U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York and former chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission—was his permanent pick for DNI.
The Senate attempted to fast-track Clayton's nomination, scheduling a confirmation hearing for June 17. However, Trump scuttled the effort, instructing Clayton not to attend in a Truth Social post hours before the hearing and stating that Pulte would remain acting DNI in the interim.
Pulte assumed the interim role on June 19, gaining access to the most sensitive U.S. intelligence data.
Image credit: Eric Lee | Bloomberg | Getty Images — William Pulte, director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), during a news conference in Washington, DC, on April 22, 2026.
Source
US Top News and AnalysisWestern
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