Pulte Begins ODNI Firings, Targeting 400 Counterterrorism Jobs After 30% Prior Cuts
Updated
Updated · NBC News · Jun 23
Pulte Begins ODNI Firings, Targeting 400 Counterterrorism Jobs After 30% Prior Cuts
3 articles · Updated · NBC News · Jun 23
Summary
Bill Pulte started dismissing staff at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence on Monday after Trump ordered an immediate downsizing and reassignment of personnel to home agencies.
400 employees at the National Counterterrorism Center were identified for firing in coming weeks, according to a source, with Pulte issuing the order before formally taking over Friday.
Jim Himes and Mark Warner warned Pulte in a Monday letter not to carry out a reduction in force without consulting Congress, saying an acting chief should not make major structural changes.
Former intelligence officials say cuts at the post-9/11 counterterrorism center could weaken the government's ability to detect and prevent terrorist plots.
ODNI had already shrunk nearly 30%—more than 500 staffers—in Gabbard's first six months, part of broader 2025 federal layoffs that the GAO said totaled about 256,000 workers, or 11% of the workforce.