Acting DNI Bill Pulte Fires 30% of Intelligence Staff Days Before Departure

Published Jul 28, 02:07 PM UTC

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.