US acting spy chief announces new round of staff reductions

By Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON, July ‌10 (Reuters) - Acting U.S. ​Director ​of National Intelligence Bill Pulte announced a third round of staff reductions on Friday after being urged by President ‌Donald Trump in recent weeks to shrink the agency's ranks.

Here ⁠are quotes and details:

• "U.S. National Intelligence is operating more efficiently and effectively than ever ‌before, and today, we started ‌a third round of reducing redundant, or non-critical, personnel," Pulte said in a statement on X.

• It did not provide the number ​of roles or personnel that were being terminated.

• Since taking office early last year, the Trump administration has attempted to remake U.S. ⁠agencies and institutions by installing Trump loyalists and cracking down on dissent.

• The Trump administration ​has gutted agencies in the name of tackling wasteful spending and fraud but political experts have warned that the ​effort has led to elimination of vital ‌roles across government bodies.

• Pulte, an ally of Trump, has no prior national security experience, causing Trump to ⁠face a political backlash after the Republican leader's loyalist was picked to fill the role temporarily.

• Pulte's appointment had raised concerns even among some Republicans that ⁠he would "weaponize" intelligence against Trump's perceived political foes.

• Reuters reported last month that ​staff at the office of the top U.S. spy were told by managers to expect extensive cuts in the coming months following comments by Trump that he ‌wants the interim director to shrink the agency's ranks.

• The nomination hearing for Jay Clayton, Trump's nominee to ‌serve as the next U.S. director of national intelligence to lead the ⁠nation's 18 intelligence agencies, is ‌scheduled for July 15.

• ​Former Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard left office on June 19.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by ‌Kim Coghill)

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