Tag

Odni

All articles tagged with #odni

politics18 days ago•186 min saved

Acting DNI Pulte downsizes ODNI, fires six political appointees

Acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte, installed by Trump, fired six political appointees and moved about 45 career officials back to their home agencies as part of a broad ODNI downsizing; the National Counterterrorism Center was spared. Republicans on Capitol Hill offered guarded praise for the reforms, while Democrats warned that large cuts could jeopardize national security, and officials said more firings could come in the coming weeks.

via CNN|

#downsizing #intelligence #national-security

politics18 days ago•99 min saved

Trump-Driven Downsizing Hits ODNI as Pulte Takes Acting DNI Post

Firing and staffing cuts are underway at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence after President Trump named Bill Pulte acting DNI, directing an immediate downsizing that could affect hundreds of employees. The move has drawn bipartisan concern from lawmakers like Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chair Mark Warner and House Intelligence’s Jim Himes, who warn that major reductions could weaken ODNI’s national-security mission and urge consultation with Congress.

via MS NOW|

#bill-pulte #downsizing #national-security

politics19 days ago•3 min saved

Trump appointee triggers broad staffing downswing at U.S. intelligence agency

Acting DNI Bill Pulte began a sweeping staff purge at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, including an order to identify about 400 National Counterterrorism Center employees for firing or leave, in the weeks after he took over from Tulsi Gabbard. Democrats on the intelligence committees warned against such large reductions and potential politicization of intelligence. The move follows earlier downsizing under the 2025 administration and comes as lawmakers scrutinize Pulte’s lack of national security background and as debate over his permanent nomination continues.

via NBC News|

#congress #counterterrorism #intelligence

politics19 days ago•186 min saved

ODNI Downsizing Kicks Off as Firing Wave Expands Under Acting Director

Firing waves have begun at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence as acting DNI Bill Pulte moves to downsizing, following President Trump’s push to cut hundreds of ODNI staff. The cuts are expected to hit units like the National Counterterrorism Center and the National Counterintelligence and Security Center. Democrats on the Senate and House Intelligence Committees warned the reductions could jeopardize the post-9/11 mission, while a White House official tied the action to Trump’s Truth Social post urging downsizing.

via CNN|

#bill-pulte #downsizing #national-security

politics22 days ago•9 min saved

Gabbard Uses Declassified Files to Probe Fauci's COVID Origins Involvement

Outgoing DNI Tulsi Gabbard released newly declassified materials showing intelligence officials debated Fauci’s role in their COVID-19 origins review, including whether to consult him as an outside reviewer and whether his recommendations for interview subjects would signal a conflict of interest. The release is part of her closing effort atop the intelligence community as ODNI transitions to Bill Pulte, whose confirmation faces resistance, and as she notes Fauci’s influence amid the wider debate over the origins of the virus.

via Fox News|

#anthony-fauci #covid-origin #declassified-documents

politics22 days ago•5 min saved

Pulte kicks off DNI tenure with plan to fire ~300 NCTC staff on first day

On his first day as acting Director of National Intelligence, Bill Pulte ordered ODNI staff to assemble a list of about 300 National Counterterrorism Center employees to be fired in the coming weeks, part of President Trump’s push to shrink the U.S. intelligence apparatus. The move comes as Trump blocked a Senate push to confirm his full-time DNI choice, Jay Clayton, and signals a rapid, aggressive overhaul of the IC. Democrats worry about Pulte’s lack of intel experience and the firing spree, while past plans under Tulsi Gabbard already aimed to cut large portions of staff. Clayton reportedly did not object to removing Gabbard holdovers.

via Politico|

#dni #fisa702 #nctc

politics22 days ago•6 min saved

Loyalist Pulte Arrives Early as Acting DNI, Signals ODNI Shake-Up

Trump’s acting DNI Bill Pulte arrived a day early and reportedly wants a full ODNI staff list to gauge who to fire, with talk of hundreds of job cuts; he lacks security clearance and intelligence experience, has pressed for PDB access and a government plane, and will remain FHFA director while serving as acting DNI as Jay Clayton’s nomination stalls, drawing bipartisan concerns about his fitness and loyalties.

via CNN|

#acting-director-of-national-intelligence #bill-pulte #intelligence-community

national-security1 month ago•7 min saved

Trump's DNI pick revives push to shrink or end ODNI

Trump’s selection of Bill Pulte to head the Office of the Director of National Intelligence has revived a broader push to shrink or abolish ODNI, as some Republicans argue the office is bloated or unnecessary while Democrats defend its role in coordinating dozens of intelligence agencies and counterterrorism efforts. The debate echoes post‑9/11 origins of ODNI, with ongoing scrutiny of its size and mission and references to reform efforts under outgoing DNI Tulsi Gabbard who once pushed significant staff cuts.

via Politico|

#bill-pulte #downsizing #intelligence

politics1 month ago•5 min saved

Trump aims to shrink ODNI as Pulte takes helm

President Donald Trump says incoming acting DNI Bill Pulte should shrink the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, prioritizing staff reductions and potentially removing personnel from the Biden and Obama administrations, while pressing for the release of information about the 2020 election; the appointment is temporary, and Republicans are divided over the plan given concerns about national-security expertise and political implications.

via Politico|

#bill-pulte #intelligence #odni

politics1 month ago•22 min saved

Trump urges acting DNI to start massive firings to shrink US intelligence

Trump told the Wall Street Journal that acting DNI Bill Pulte should begin firing a large number of intelligence employees to shrink the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, arguing it is too big and filled with Biden/Obama holdovers; the plan drew bipartisan concern about a weaponized DNI, with Trump saying Pulte’s acting status offers more leeway and that there will be five interviews for a permanent DNI as the shake-up proceeds.

via The Guardian|

#bill-pulte #national-intelligence #odni

politics1 month ago•2 min saved

Trump ally to helm U.S. intelligence oversight, stoking politicization concerns

Bill Pulte, a Trump ally, is slated to lead the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, raising concerns that the DNI could be used to advance a political agenda amid questions about his national-security experience. The ODNI coordinates 18 agencies and has broad access to information from the FBI, CIA, DHS and even commercially sourced data, which critics say heightens privacy risks, even as a framework is in place to address them. White House supporters argue the appointment brings professional leadership to the role.

via Axios|

#intelligence #odni #politicization

politics1 month ago•20 min saved

Gabbard resigns as DNI amid Trump-era turbulence and Iran tensions

Heather Cox Richardson reports that Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard resigned effective June 30, reportedly after pressure from President Trump, and she situates the move in the ODNI’s oversight role and Gabbard’s controversial actions. The piece then surveys the broader context: U.S. pressure over Iran, questions about war powers and congressional authorization, and rumors of a new deal affecting the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s nuclear program, all set against Trump’s public posts and domestic political dynamics.

via Letters from an American | Heather Cox Richardson|

#gabbard #iran #jcpoa

national-security1 month ago•21 min saved

Amaryllis Fox Kennedy exits two top intelligence posts in a Trump-era reshuffle

Amaryllis Fox Kennedy, a senior Trump-era intelligence official and daughter-in-law of RFK Jr. who was aligned with Tulsi Gabbard, is stepping down from two top posts at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the Office of Management and Budget, with hopes of returning to the private sector and remaining on a presidential intelligence advisory board; her departure continues a trend of high-level reshuffles in national security leadership.

via The Washington Post|

#amaryllis-fox-kennedy #national-security #odni

politics3 months ago•8 min saved

Gabbard seeks ODNI control of In-Q-Tel, igniting intel turf fight

POLITICO reports that the Office of the Director of National Intelligence is finalizing a plan to make In-Q-Tel, the CIA-backed venture fund, overseen by ODNI under Tulsi Gabbard. If approved, the shift would move oversight from the CIA to Gabbard’s ODNI, potentially triggering opposition from CIA leaders and some lawmakers while garnering support for tighter cross-agency tech development; passage would require congressional backing amid mixed views on ODNI’s role and Gabbard’s influence.

via Politico|

#cia #gabbard #in-q-tel

politics4 months ago•8 min saved

Trump hints at nationalizing voting, sparking midterm disruption fears

Amid FBI activity in Fulton County and a Puerto Rico voting-machine probe led by Tulsi Gabbard, Donald Trump floated nationalizing and seizing voting machines, suggesting a federal takeover that could disrupt early voting and delay results. Legal challenges would likely block such steps, experts say, as courts previously blocked a related executive order and Puerto Rico has already moved to paper ballots. The episode is viewed as part of broader efforts surrounding U.S. election infrastructure and security.

via The Guardian|

#midterms-2026 #odni #politics