President Trump Appoints Acting Director to Downsize National Intelligence Office
President Trump has appointed Pulte as the acting director of national intelligence with a mandate to reduce the size of the office. This move follows the resignation of Tulsi Gabbard, who had already initiated a significant downsizing of the office, citing inefficiency. Under Gabbard, the office's budget was cut by over $700 million annually, and the workforce was reduced by approximately 40%. Trump has expressed that Pulte's temporary appointment is strategic, allowing him to implement further reductions before a permanent director is confirmed. This decision has faced bipartisan resistance in the Senate, particularly concerning the renewal of a national security surveillance program, as some Democrats have expressed distrust in Pulte's ability to manage the program. 
