Arabic version: ترامب يأمر بإعادة هيكلة في مجتمع الاستخبارات تحت قيادة بولتي
According to The Guardian,
Donald Trump has told the Wall Street Journal that he wants his new acting director of national intelligence, Bill Pulte, to begin the process of firing a large number of employees as part of a shake-up of the U.S. intelligence community. Trump expressed that he believes the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) is “unnecessary and/or too big,” suggesting that it should be downsized.
In his remarks, Trump indicated that he wants Pulte to start the process of firing numerous employees, particularly those he views as holdovers from the Biden and Obama administrations. He stated, “I’d like to see it smaller. I think there are a lot of people in there that shouldn’t be there,” emphasizing the need for change within the agency.
The move has raised bipartisan concerns, with both Democrats and some Republicans wary of Pulte’s lack of experience in national intelligence. Senate Majority Leader John Thune voiced apprehension about the potential for a “weaponized” intelligence director, cautioning that Pulte would face “a lengthy road ahead of him” if nominated permanently.
Trump further elaborated on Pulte’s acting status, suggesting it could be advantageous for implementing changes swiftly. He stated that Pulte has the opportunity to make significant adjustments before a permanent director is appointed. The president likened the situation to the approach taken by Education Secretary Linda McMahon, who has actively sought to reduce the size of her department.
In his interview, Trump conveyed a desire for the ODNI to be significantly smaller or potentially eliminated altogether, reflecting his broader agenda to streamline government operations.
