Acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte announced on Friday the initiation of a third phase of staff reductions within the U.S. intelligence community. This move follows repeated calls from President Donald Trump in recent weeks to reduce the size of the agency. In a statement posted on the social media platform X, Pulte said the intelligence community is now operating “more efficiently and effectively than ever before” and that the ongoing reductions focus on eliminating redundant or noncritical positions. The announcement did not specify the number of personnel affected by the latest cuts.

Since taking office in early 2025, the Trump administration has pursued a comprehensive restructuring of multiple federal agencies, often appointing loyalists and moving to consolidate control amid concerns over dissent. The administration has justified workforce reductions as efforts to combat wasteful spending and fraud. However, some political analysts have warned that such downsizing risks removing essential roles, potentially undermining operational capacity across key government functions.

Pulte, a Trump ally with no previous experience in national security, assumed the acting role after the departure of former Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard on June 19. His appointment sparked criticism from various quarters, including Republicans, who expressed worry that intelligence capabilities might be politicized or used as a tool against those perceived as adversaries of President Trump.

Reports in recent weeks indicated that senior staff within the Office of the Director of National Intelligence had been advised to prepare for extensive personnel cuts following Trump’s directive to slim down the agency’s workforce. This third round of reductions aligns with those concerns, marking a continued effort by the administration to reshape the intelligence community’s structure.

The nomination hearing for Jay Clayton, President Trump’s choice to become the next Director of National Intelligence and lead the nation’s 18 intelligence agencies, is set for July 15. The outcome of Clayton’s confirmation could influence the future trajectory of the intelligence community amid ongoing organizational changes.