An article summarized by CBS News:
President Trump said he wants acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte to begin reducing the size of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), arguing that the agency has become too large and may even be unnecessary. Trump told The Wall Street Journal that he wants Pulte to “start the process” of shrinking the office, potentially laying the groundwork for a permanent director to continue the effort, and suggested the ODNI could eventually be eliminated altogether.
Pulte, who is also serving as director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, was recently tapped to replace departing Tulsi Gabbard on an acting basis. Trump said Pulte’s temporary status gives him more flexibility to make changes and “shake things up.” The ODNI has already undergone significant restructuring under Gabbard, including staff reductions of roughly 40% and consolidation of several offices through the agency’s “ODNI 2.0” initiative.
The appointment has generated controversy due to Pulte’s lack of national security experience and his history of pursuing politically charged investigations. Trump defended the choice, describing Pulte as intelligent and capable of learning quickly on the job. Some lawmakers have expressed concern about Pulte overseeing the intelligence community, and his appointment has become part of broader debates in Congress, including discussions surrounding the reauthorization of key surveillance authorities under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).
