Trump Directs Acting DNI Pulte to Begin Cutting ODNI Staff as Cotton Proposes 650-Employee Cap

Trump told the Wall Street Journal on Friday he wants acting DNI Bill Pulte to "start the process" of cutting ODNI staff, calling the office "unnecessary and/or too big" and stating it "should maybe even be terminated" 12. He described Pulte's acting role, which requires no Senate confirmation and is capped at 210 days, as leaving him "less shackled" for the effort; Pulte retains his post as FHFA director and has no prior intelligence experience 134. Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Tom Cotton endorsed the push, pointing to his June 2025 legislation that would cap ODNI full-time staff at 650, against a reported baseline of roughly 1,800 at the start of the current administration 25. Fox News reported Gabbard reduced the workforce by about 25 percent before her departure; an ODNI official told CBS News her cuts totaled nearly 50 percent 24. Trump told the Journal he is interviewing five candidates for a permanent DNI nominee and does not intend Pulte to remain in the role long-term 13.