Acting Director of National Intelligence William Pulte announced on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, what he described as a "5th and Near Final Round of TERMINATIONS," marking approximately a 30% reduction in staff from weeks prior. This announcement follows a fourth batch of layoffs completed the previous Sunday within the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI).

In a post on X, Pulte stated, "Good News! In addition to the Historic DECLASSIFICATIONS (Transparency!) by the President, we are, this morning, Executing a 5th and Near Final Round of TERMINATIONS, an approximately 30% Staff Reduction from Weeks Ago."

He emphasized the mission of the Intelligence Community, saying, "The Intelligence Community must protect the American people, NOT the political whims of the bloated and corrupt elite class."

Prior to Pulte assuming leadership at ODNI last month, The Wall Street Journal reported that President Donald Trump had expressed to Pulte his view that the ODNI was "unnecessary and/or too big." Reflecting this perspective, Senator Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) stated during a Senate floor speech last month that he had spoken with the acting DNI, who agreed on the need to return the ODNI to its original size, scope, and mission by spinning off some functional centers and reallocating intelligence officers back to their home agencies to focus on actual intelligence work.

Fox News Digital reached out to ODNI for clarification on the reported 30% staffing reduction.

The staff reductions come as the Senate is poised to confirm Jay Clayton, nominee to be Director of National Intelligence, who testified before the Senate Intelligence Committee on July 15, 2026.

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Acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte at the Great American State Fair kick-off celebration on June 24, 2026. (Jemal Countess / AFP via Getty Images)