Trump says he wants Pulte to "start the process" of shrinking intel office

Politics Trump says he wants Bill Pulte to "start the process" of shrinking intelligence office By Kathryn Watson Kathryn Watson Politics Reporter Kathryn Watson is a politics reporter for CBS News Digital, based in Washington, D.C. Read Full Bio Kathryn Watson June 5, 2026 / 2:00 PM EDT / CBS News Add CBS News on Google Washington — President Trump on Friday told the Wall Street Journal that he wants Bill Pulte, his controversial pick to run the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, to "start the process" of eliminating some workers and shrinking the office. Mr. Trump told the Journal that the ODNI, which oversees the nation's 18 intelligence agencies, is "unnecessary" or "too big," and lamented holdovers from prior administrations. The president said the ODNI "should maybe even be terminated.""I'd like to see it smaller. I think there are a lot of people in there that shouldn't be there," the president told the Journal. Asked if he is calling on Pulte to fire ODNI workers, Mr. Trump said he wants Pulte to "start the process" that can be continued by a permanent director. "We've made the Department of Education much smaller, and likewise, this should be much smaller," the president said. "And this should maybe even be terminated, and we'll make that decision."As an acting director, Pulte can serve for 210 days from when he starts the role. He's also continuing to run the Federal Housing Finance Agency, which oversees Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. "You're less shackled," the president told the Journal, referring to Pulte operating in an acting role. "It sort of gives you more power, you know, for a somewhat limited period of time.""Frankly, it might be good for him to shake it up before people come," Mr. Trump added.  ODNI has already undergone major restructuring under outgoing director of national intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, reducing or reassigning staff by 40% and consolidating several offices and analytic functions through its...