U.S. acting spy chief announces new round of staff reductions
Acting U.S. Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte has initiated a third round of staff reductions within the agency. The move aligns with President Trump's directive to shrink the intelligence community and reduce perceived waste.
Why it matters
The restructuring of U.S. intelligence agencies under political appointees raises concerns regarding institutional independence and national security oversight.
Acting U.S. Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte announced a third round of staff reductions on Friday (July 10, 2026) after being urged by President Donald Trump in recent weeks to shrink the agency’s ranks.
“U.S. National Intelligence is operating more efficiently and effectively than ever before, and today, we started a third round of reducing redundant, or non-critical, personnel,” Mr. Pulte said in a statement on X.
It did not provide the number of roles or personnel that were being terminated.
Since taking office early last year, the Trump administration has attempted to remake U.S. agencies and institutions by installing Trump loyalists and cracking down on dissent.
The Trump administration has gutted agencies in the name of tackling wasteful spending and fraud, but political experts have warned that the effort has led to elimination of vital roles across government bodies.
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