politics
Acting intelligence director removes more than 50 staff members days after taking post
More than 50 staff members were dismissed from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence less than a week after the appointment. Six were fired outright and 45 returned to home agencies.
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President Trump appointed Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence. More than 50 staff members have been dismissed from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. Six individuals were fired outright and 45 were returned to their home agencies.
The dismissals occurred less than a week after the acting director assumed the post. CNN reported the initial firings on Monday and noted that political appointees connected to the previous director were among those removed. Reductions at the National Terrorism Center are expected to be especially large.
CBS reported the total of more than 50 dismissals on Tuesday. The acting director had been considering broader staff reductions on the same day the appointment took effect. Democratic leaders on the House and Senate intelligence committees sent a letter on Monday expressing concern about large-scale changes without congressional consultation.
A Republican senator told reporters on Tuesday that any reductions should follow an analysis of positions that could be automated or were never needed.
