Trump tells acting DNI Bill Pulte to start shrinking intelligence office

President Donald Trump has said he wants soon-to-be Acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte to begin shrinking the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) before a permanent candidate takes office; This signals a potentially aggressive effort to reduce the size of the agency responsible for coordinating the nation’s intelligence community.

Trump told The Wall Street Journal that he had specifically directed Pulte to begin what he described as a broader effort to streamline the ODNI, calling the office “unnecessary and/or too large” and requiring the acting intelligence chief to “begin the process” of staff reductions before a permanent director is confirmed.

“I would like to see it smaller. I think there are a lot of people who shouldn’t be there,” Trump said, pointing to what’s left of the Obama and Biden administrations.

Asked if he wanted Pulte to fire staffers, Trump said he wanted the acting intelligence chief to “start the process,” adding that his eventual nominee to permanently run the office should continue that work.

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Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard abruptly announced her resignation on May 22, effective June 30, citing her husband’s bone cancer diagnosis.

The president appointed Pulte, who is currently director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, to the acting post in early June. Because the position is temporary, Pulte does not need Senate confirmation and can serve for up to 210 days.

Trump suggested Pulte’s acting status could make it easier for him to make changes before a permanent director is confirmed.

“You are less shackled,” Trump said. “It kind of gives you more power for a limited time, you know.”

The White House did not respond to Fox News Digital’s questions about whether Pulte would be confirmed as permanent director of national intelligence.

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“Frankly, it might be good for him to stir this up before people show up,” Trump added. “Because if he were to reduce the size with me… and probably with the person walking in… he could do most of the hard work and we wouldn’t have to saddle someone walking in.”

Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Tom Cotton quickly endorsed the effort, arguing that the office had gone beyond its original purpose and reiterating his longstanding support for significantly shrinking — or even eliminating — the office.

“President Trump is right: ODNI has gone far beyond its original authority,” Cotton wrote to X. “I have long advocated minimizing, if not completely eliminating, this bureaucracy.”

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“It is time to send these officers back to their home countries to focus on real intelligence work. I support President Trump in this effort.”

ODNI was established in 2004 following the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission and was designed to improve coordination among U.S. intelligence agencies following the failure to share critical information ahead of terrorist attacks.

Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Tom Cotton quickly endorsed the effort, arguing that the office had gone beyond its original purpose and reiterating his longstanding support for significantly shrinking — or even eliminating — the office. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc)

The office oversees and coordinates the work of the nation’s 18 intelligence agencies and components.

Cotton has long been among lawmakers who have argued that the agency has gone beyond its original mission. In early 2026, he introduced legislation that would limit ODNI to 650 employees.

At the start of the second Trump administration, the office had about 1,800 employees, but outgoing Director of National Intelligence Gabbard said she was reducing her workforce by about 25%.

Trump’s latest comments suggest that the administration may be pursuing a broader restructuring effort than previously indicated, and that Pulte could be tasked with starting that process before a permanent candidate is named.

The president’s choice of Pulte as acting DNI surprised many lawmakers and national security observers because the Federal Housing Finance Agency director had no intelligence or national security background.

Former Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell expressed concerns shortly after the appointment was announced.

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard abruptly announced her resignation on May 22, effective June 30, citing her husband’s bone cancer diagnosis. (Daniel Heuer/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

“Anyone who fills this role, which requires such great public trust, must have the extensive national security experience required by law, and no candidate who fails to meet this requirement will win my vote,” McConnell said.

“Trump thinks Bill Pulte could be both director of mortgage regulators and director of national intelligence,” Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., said in a video sent to X. “You can’t do both jobs… it’s outrageous.”

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But Trump has suggested that Pulte’s interim status is exactly what makes him well-suited to carry out the administration’s plans for the office.

The president said he hopes Pulte can begin reducing the size of ODNI before a permanent candidate takes office, allowing the acting chief to complete much of the “hard work” associated with that effort.