ODNI Cuts 200 Jobs Since June 1 as Trump Shrinks 2,000-Person Spy Office
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Jul 23
ODNI Cuts 200 Jobs Since June 1 as Trump Shrinks 2,000-Person Spy Office
3 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Jul 23
Summary
About 200 ODNI personnel have been cut through firings and returns to home agencies since June 1, according to data the Trump administration shared with Congress this week.
The reductions leave the office at little more than half its roughly 2,000-employee size at the start of Trump’s second term, with much of the latest attrition coming from detailed officers rather than the counterterrorism center.
The National Intelligence Council has been hit especially hard, with about 20 staff removed or departing, including senior officers covering Russia, China and Europe, while its top official was placed on administrative leave.
Bill Pulte, installed as acting DNI on June 19, has publicly touted a third round of cuts without detailing them, and Jay Clayton is expected to inherit the downsized agency if the Senate confirms him next week.
The downsizing reflects Trump allies’ view that ODNI grew beyond its mandate, though former officials say the administration has offered no clear mission for the office beyond making it smaller.