President Trump Directs Acting Intelligence Chief to Pursue Staffing Cuts

President Donald Trump has signaled a push for significant personnel changes within the U.S. Intelligence community, confirming he has instructed Bill Pulte, his incoming acting director of national intelligence, to begin reducing the workforce within the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI).

In comments made to reporters while traveling to an agriculture-focused event in Wisconsin, the President characterized the size of the intelligence office as “way too high for way too long.” Trump noted that he would welcome efforts by Pulte to reduce the staff count, stating, “if he cut, I wouldn’t mind that.”

Strategic Shake-up at the ODNI

The directive follows an earlier interview with The Wall Street Journal, in which the President expressed his desire for a leaner intelligence apparatus. According to the President, the objective is to address what he views as an unnecessary or oversized administrative structure. He emphasized that he has encouraged Pulte to “start the process” of personnel reductions, suggesting that this work could be completed before a permanent director is installed.

“Frankly, it might be good for him to shake it up before people come,” the President told the Journal. “Because, if he reduced the size, in conjunction with me … and in conjunction with possibly the person coming in … he can do a lot of the hard work and we wouldn’t have to saddle somebody that goes in.”

Pulte, who previously served as the head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, was tapped for the acting role earlier this week. The appointment has faced scrutiny in the Senate, where the president’s nominations undergo confirmation. The current transition has also impacted discussions on Capitol Hill regarding the renewal of national security surveillance programs, as some lawmakers have expressed reservations about the temporary leadership of the ODNI, which maintains oversight of 18 federal intelligence agencies and units.

Context of Administrative Reductions

The current push for downsizing is a continuation of broader efforts to scale back the ODNI. Under the tenure of former director Tulsi Gabbard, the administration initiated a shift toward a smaller, more streamlined office. In August 2025, the administration announced significant budget cuts exceeding $700 million annually and a reduction of the office’s workforce by approximately 40%. At the time, the office was described as “bloated and inefficient.”

Looking Ahead

The President indicated that Pulte’s tenure in the acting role will be determined by the timeline for confirming a permanent successor. While he did not disclose specific names, the President stated he is currently considering five potential candidates for the position, describing them as “very respected people.”

Key Takeaways

• Personnel Reductions: President Trump has tasked acting DNI Bill Pulte with initiating staff cuts within the ODNI to reduce the size of the office.
• Administrative Strategy: The administration aims to complete the “hard work” of downsizing before a permanent director is confirmed.
• Ongoing Transition: The ODNI has been undergoing a period of contraction since August 2025, following a previous 40% workforce reduction.
• Legislative Hurdles: The temporary nature of the appointment has complicated the renewal of national security surveillance programs in the Senate.

As the administration moves forward, the focus remains on finalizing a permanent leadership structure for the intelligence community while continuing the established trend of reducing the overall footprint of the director’s office.