Fact Check: Did Bill Pulte propose cutting the FBI's workforce by 50 percent?

WASHINGTON, DC: A viral X (formerly Twitter) post claims that Acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte issued an internal memo calling for a 50% cut to the FBI workforce, the abolition of FISA courts, and restrictions on intelligence agencies using the Patriot Act for surveillance.

The post frames the alleged plan as a move against “deep state” spying and links it to ongoing debates over US surveillance powers. Let's fact-check the claim.

Claim: Bill Pulte issued an internal memo proposing a 50% cut to the FBI workforce

According to the post, Bill Pulte has “COME OUT SWINGING,” unveiling a plan to “REDUCE THE FBI'S WORK FORCE BY 50 PERCENT, GET RID OF EVERY FISA COURT IN THE UNITED STATES and FORBID EVERY AMERICAN INTELLIGENCE AGENCY FROM ABUSING THE PATRIOT ACT AS A MEANS OF SPYING ON AMERICAN CITIZENS.”

The post also claims these actions are aimed at countering alleged “deep state” abuse and surveillance of Americans.

"Pulte is reportedly taking these bold, decisive actions to combat mass surveillance of Americans and weaponization of federal law enforcement against conservatives in response to an intelligence assessment that has found that the intelligence community has been used by CORRUPT DEEP STATE ACTORS for these NEFARIOUS PURPOSES for far too long," it states. 

Fact Check: False, no such directive from Bill Pulte exists

The claim is false. There is no credible evidence or official reporting to support the claim that Pulte issued an internal memo ordering a 50% cut to the FBI workforce, the abolition of all FISA courts, and a ban on intelligence agencies using the Patriot Act to spy on Americans 

Pulte was appointed by President Donald Trump as Acting Director of National Intelligence, replacing Tulsi Gabbard. His appointment is temporary and has led to political debate across party lines. Some lawmakers have raised concerns about his role and its impact on intelligence oversight.

Despite the viral post, no verified “internal memo” exists with the sweeping changes it describes. Reliable news sources and official records do not show any such directive from Pulte.

Notably, the debate over FISA Section 702 continues in Congress. The program, which allows warrantless surveillance for national security purposes, has faced opposition and delays in renewal. Some lawmakers have cited broader concerns about oversight and leadership changes within the intelligence community during these discussions.