Trump tells intel chief what he expects before permanent director is named: 'Shouldn't be in there'
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump is openly backing a sweeping shakeup inside America's intelligence agencies, saying he wants the Acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte, to begin removing personnel before a permanent leader is even selected.
The remarks made by the president during his interview with The Wall Street Journal on Thursday, June 4, suggest that the administration is preparing for a deeper restructuring of the intelligence community, with Trump arguing that years of bureaucratic growth had left the system oversized and in need of a dramatic reset.
Trump wants Bill Pulte to do the 'hard work'
Speaking during the interview, Trump made it clear that he saw Pulte's temporary appointment as an opportunity rather than a placeholder role.
Instead of simply holding the office until a permanent nominee is chosen, Trump indicated that Pulte should use the position to begin reducing staff and reshaping the intelligence bureaucracy.
The president said he wants to see the intelligence community become smaller, arguing that too many people remain in positions they should no longer occupy.
“I’d like to see it smaller. I think there are a lot of people in there that shouldn’t be there,” Trump said.
Trump added that he has already discussed the matter with Pulte and believes the acting director can begin implementing changes immediately.
His comments suggest that the White House is looking at the current transition period as a chance to push through difficult personnel decisions before a Senate-confirmed intelligence chief takes over.
Trump indicated that a future nominee would inherit a system that had already undergone significant restructuring rather than being forced to initiate those changes themselves.
The remarks are likely to fuel concerns among critics who have accused Trump of targeting officials viewed as part of the Washington establishment.
Supporters, however, argue that the intelligence apparatus has become bloated and insufficiently accountable, making workforce reductions both necessary and overdue.
Tulsi Gabbard led aggressive intelligence agency reforms
The president's latest remarks fit into the effort by his administration to reduce the size of federal institutions.
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence had already faced major reductions before Pulte's arrival.
Under former DNI Tulsi Gabbard, the administration launched an aggressive campaign to streamline operations, cutting budgets and reducing staffing levels.
Officials reportedly argued that the office had expanded far beyond its original purpose and needed significant reform to improve efficiency.
Gabbard stepped down last month following her husband's cancer diagnosis, creating the vacancy that ultimately led to Pulte's appointment.
