Mass layoffs began in the US National Intelligence after a change in leadership - CNN - The Insider

I. o. US Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte began massive cuts after taking office. CNN writes about this with reference to a source.

The publication’s interlocutor did not specify exactly how many people were affected by the cuts. Pulte showed up to his office a day early last week, catching staffers and outgoing director Tulsi Gabbard by surprise. He previously requested a list of all department employees, CNN clarifies.

The cuts are expected to affect the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the National Counterterrorism Center and the National Counterintelligence and Security Center.

Concerns about such large-scale cuts have already been expressed in the American Parliament. Leading Democrats on the Senate and House Intelligence Committees sent a letter to Pulte saying the layoffs could jeopardize the organization's performance.

“Given your lack of experience in the intelligence community, it is difficult to imagine that in such a short period of time you have already formed a fully informed opinion on how to reduce staff without compromising national security,” CNN quoted the letter as saying.

Bill Pulte previously served as head of the mortgage agency. The fact that he could be preparing large-scale cuts became known at the beginning of this month - US President Donald Trump personally announced this. In a conversation with reporters, he said that he wants Pulte to make large-scale cuts in the department, both in staff and in the budget.