In a bold move to restore faith in the U.S. intelligence community, Director of National Intelligence (DNI),
Tulsi Gabbard, has initiated a sweeping overhaul of her department. This restructuring, known as "ODNI 2.0," involves substantial staff reductions and the elimination of "redundant" projects. The primary objective of this transformation is to save taxpayer money, restore public trust, and eradicate the "weaponization" of intelligence.
As senior ODNI officials revealed to Breitbart News, the restructuring began with a focus on shutting down the Foreign Malign Influence Center (FMIC). The FMIC, which included the Election Threats Executive (ETE), had controversially collaborated with Big Tech companies such as Twitter (now X) and Facebook.
This collaboration led to the removal of the October 2020 Hunter Biden laptop story from its platform, a move that sparked widespread criticism. "The center was turned against the American people," a senior ODNI adviser stated, adding that former President Joe Biden "used it against conservatives and gun owners."
The FMIC was deemed "redundant" as the National Intelligence Council and National Counterintelligence and Security Center already monitor foreign entities' attempts to influence the American public.
The staff reduction, which began under President Donald Trump's administration when he appointed Gabbard as the head of the agency, has already seen a 30 percent decrease in personnel. The closure of "redundant" centers will result in nearly a 50 percent reduction in staffing since Gabbard took the helm.
The restructuring is not merely about downsizing. It's about efficiency and agility. "If everythings on fire and everythings a priority, then nothing is," an official explained, adding that the ODNI will cut "a lot of red tape" that "stops us from being elite and agile." The latest round of layoffs is projected to save taxpayers $700 million.
While some personnel will be displaced, others will return to their "home agencies," such as the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). In a move to streamline operations, Gabbard has coordinated with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to integrate students from the National Intelligence University (NIU) into the Department of Defense's National Defense University (NDU).
A joint letter to students from Gabbard and Hegseth stated, "This effort aligns with President Trumps focus on increasing efficiencies across the government and will enhance the quality of our educational programs."
Gabbard's restructuring plan, which received President Trump's "green light," also includes "investments" in "prioritizing artificial intelligence (AI), quantum, and technological capabilities." The intelligence community should "ebb and flow" with the countrys needs, an adviser pointed out.
In addition to the restructuring, Gabbard has been working to restore trust in the intelligence community. She has recently declassified documents and revoked security clearances of "current and former intelligence professionals who have abused the public trust by politicizing and manipulating intelligence."
In a letter to her workforce, Gabbard expressed gratitude to those transitioning to new opportunities and assured them of support during the process. She also emphasized the need for other intelligence agencies to follow suit. "Were holding those other agencies accountable," an official said, adding that Gabbard "wanted to lead by example."
In a press release, Gabbard reiterated the purpose of ODNI 2.0. She stated, "Over the last 20 years, ODNI has become bloated and inefficient, and the intelligence community is rife with abuse of power, unauthorized leaks of classified intelligence, and politicized weaponization of intelligence."
She added, "Ending the weaponization of intelligence and holding bad actors accountable are essential to begin to earn the American peoples trust which has long been eroded."
With the launch of ODNI 2.0, Gabbard aims to usher in a new era focused on serving the country, fulfilling the core national security mission with excellence, always grounded in the U.S. Constitution, and ensuring the safety, security, and freedom of the American people.
This initiative, under President Trump's leadership, is a testament to the commitment to uphold traditional values, limited government, and individual freedom.
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