President Donald Trump has called for deeper reductions in national intelligence staffing, saying the office overseeing U.S. intelligence agencies should be made smaller. His remarks come as the administration continues to reshape the structure of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence during his second term.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One while traveling to Wisconsin, Trump said the office has been “way too high for way too long.” He added that he would support further reductions in staff if acting director Bill Pulte moves ahead with cuts.
Trump said Pulte is expected to review the structure of the office and reduce its size. He described Pulte as “very good” and “very talented,” but also noted that he is not being positioned as a permanent appointment for the role.
The comments follow earlier remarks in an interview with The Wall Street Journal, where Trump said he has already asked Pulte to begin the process of reducing staff levels. Pulte currently leads the Federal Housing Finance Agency but does not have a background in national security.
In the interview, Trump said he believes the intelligence office includes too many employees. He suggested that some personnel should not be in the system, referencing officials who served under previous administrations. He also said he wants the reduction process to begin immediately so that a future permanent director can continue it.
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence oversees coordination among 18 U.S. intelligence agencies. It plays a central role in national security planning, intelligence sharing, and surveillance programs.
Trump said the goal is to streamline operations and reduce what he sees as unnecessary bureaucracy. He also suggested that early restructuring under an acting director could make it easier for a future appointee to continue reforms.
Pulte’s temporary appointment has already drawn political attention in Washington. The move has faced bipartisan resistance in the Senate, where members are responsible for confirming intelligence leadership positions. Lawmakers have also raised concerns about the impact on ongoing intelligence and surveillance programs.
Some Senate Democrats have questioned whether Pulte has the experience needed to oversee the intelligence community. They have pointed to the sensitivity of programs managed by the office and the importance of stable leadership.
The leadership transition has also slowed discussions on renewing a key national security surveillance program in Congress. Lawmakers have expressed concern about uncertainty at the top of the intelligence system during a critical period.
Earlier in the year, the intelligence office had already undergone significant restructuring. Under former director Tulsi Gabbard, the administration announced a major budget cut of more than 700 million dollars per year and a workforce reduction of about 40 percent.
At the time, Gabbard said the agency had become too large and inefficient. The changes were part of a broader effort to reduce government size and streamline intelligence operations.
Gabbard later resigned last month following a personal family health matter.
Trump has said he is now considering several candidates for a permanent intelligence chief. He described them as experienced and well-known figures but did not reveal their names. He said a decision will be made in coordination with ongoing reforms.
The latest comments signal that further changes to national intelligence staffing are likely as the administration continues to reshape the structure and size of the intelligence community.
