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Acting U.S. Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte announced a third round of staff reductions on July 10, 2026, after President Donald Trump urged him to shrink the agency's ranks. Pulte, a Trump loyalist with no prior national security experience, stated that the cuts target redundant or non-critical personnel, though the number of roles eliminated was not disclosed. The Trump administration has been remaking U.S. agencies by installing loyalists and cracking down on dissent, citing wasteful spending, but experts warn vital roles are being cut. Pulte's appointment has raised concerns, even among some Republicans, that he could weaponize intelligence against Trump's political foes. The nomination hearing for Jay Clayton, Trump's nominee to permanently lead the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, is scheduled for July 15. Former DNI Tulsi Gabbard left office on June 19.
Source report
Bill Pulte has no prior national security experience, causing Donald Trump to face a political backlash after the Republican leader’s loyalist was picked to fill the role temporarily
Published - July 11, 2026 11:11 am IST — WASHINGTON
Reuters
Acting U.S. Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte announced a third round of staff reductions on Friday (July 10, 2026), following recent pressure from President Donald Trump to shrink the agency’s ranks.
“U.S. National Intelligence is operating more efficiently and effectively than ever before, and today, we started a third round of reducing redundant, or non-critical, personnel,” Mr. Pulte said in a statement on X.
The statement did not specify the number of roles or personnel being terminated.
Since taking office early last year, the Trump administration has sought to reshape U.S. agencies and institutions by installing Trump loyalists and cracking down on dissent. The administration has gutted agencies in the name of tackling wasteful spending and fraud, but political experts have warned that the effort has led to the elimination of vital roles across government bodies.
Mr. Pulte, an ally of Mr. Trump, has no prior national security experience, a factor that has drawn political backlash after the Republican leader’s loyalist was chosen for the temporary role. His appointment raised concerns even among some Republicans that he would “weaponise” intelligence against Trump’s perceived political foes.
Reuters reported last month that staff at the office of the top U.S. spy were told by managers to expect extensive cuts in the coming months, following comments by Mr. Trump that he wants the interim director to shrink the agency’s ranks.
The nomination hearing for Jay Clayton, Mr. Trump’s nominee to serve as the next U.S. director of national intelligence and lead the nation’s 18 intelligence agencies, is scheduled for July 15.
Former Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard left office on June 19.
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