President Donald Trump has reportedly instructed Acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte to begin purging a large number of staff from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, signaling a sweeping shake-up of an intelligence bureaucracy long criticized by conservatives as bloated and politically biased.
According to The Post Millennial, Pulte was appointed to the acting role after former DNI Tulsi Gabbard stepped down following her husbands bone cancer diagnosis. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Trump declared, Id like to see it smaller. I think there are a lot of people in there that shouldnt be there," noting that many are holdovers from the Biden and Obama administrations.
When asked whether he had ordered Pulte to carry out firings, Trump said he directed the acting DNI to start the process, adding that his eventual permanent nominee would continue the effort. Trump argued that Pultes temporary status is an asset, saying the acting chief is less shackled and that it gives you more power, you know, for a somewhat limited period of time.
The president emphasized that he wants Pulte to move aggressively before a permanent successor is named. Frankly, it might be good for him to shake it up before people come, Trump said, adding, Because, if he [Pulte] reduced the size, in conjunction with meand in conjunction with possibly the person coming inhe can do a lot of the hard work and we wouldnt have to saddle somebody that goes in.
Trump is currently interviewing candidates for the DNI nomination and wants Pulte to mirror Education Secretary Linda McMahons efforts to streamline her department. Weve made the Department of Education much smaller, and likewise, this should be much smaller, Trump said of the DNI office, adding, And this should maybe even be terminated, and well make that decision.
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