Trump's choice of Pulte seen as a step toward dismantling the intelligence office: "It is too bloated and unnecessary"

[Financial News]  

By naming Bill Pulte, whom he described as an intelligence outsider, as acting head of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), U.S. President Donald Trump on the 5th local time appeared to signal that the move could ultimately be a step toward dismantling the office itself.
Pulte, like Trump, is a wealthy real estate heir. He currently serves as head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) and also chairs the boards of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
He has no background in defense, intelligence, or diplomacy.
In his interview with The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) that day, Trump suggested that the reason for appointing a non-expert to the role of DNI, a move even some in his own party take seriously, is linked to the eventual dismantling of the office.
He said he had privately told Pulte that the ODNI, which oversees 18 federal intelligence agencies, was "unnecessary and too bloated."
Trump said, "This department needs to get smaller," adding, "There are too many people there who should not be there." He also pointed out that officials from the previous Barack Obama and Joe Biden administrations had remained in their posts.
When asked whether he wanted Pulte to begin layoffs, Trump said he hoped he would "start the process," and added that the person he would formally nominate as director should continue that role.
Pulte has been named acting director, so he does not need Senate confirmation. He can serve in the acting role for up to 210 days.
Trump said U.S. intelligence agencies need to change, and he hoped Pulte would serve as the catalyst until a permanent director is appointed.
He stressed that once Pulte has reduced the size of the organization, the permanent director appointed later will be able to accomplish more.
Although Trump said he hoped Pulte would open the door to restructuring the ODNI, WSJ reported that the downsizing had already begun under former Director Tulsi Gabbard.
Gabbard, a former National Guard lieutenant colonel who also served on the House Armed Services Committee, began efforts to streamline the organization last year. According to one ODNI official, the workforce has been cut by about half. The official added that Gabbard could even support abolishing the ODNI if necessary.
Pulte, sometimes called "Little Trump," won favor with Trump by leading fraud allegations and criminal complaints targeting figures Trump sees as political irritants, including Federal Reserve Board member Lisa Cook and New York State Attorney General Letitia James.


[email protected] Song Kyung-jae Reporter