Hundreds of employees at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence were dismissed on Monday. The Trump administration initiated mass firings that affect key US intelligence units. The move raises national security concerns and impacts counterterrorism operations.
According to CNN, the layoffs were carried out under acting Director Bill Pulte. The action reportedly targets hundreds of staff across the intelligence agency. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence plays a central coordination role in US security operations.
Reports said the National Counterterrorism Centre and Counterintelligence and Security Centre face the deepest cuts. These units were created after the September 11 attacks. They are responsible for detecting threats and coordinating intelligence across agencies.
Lawmakers from both parties raised concerns over the scale and timing of the firings. Senators Mark Warner and Representative Jim Himes warned that large cuts could weaken national security. They said the reductions risk undermining efforts to prevent terrorist threats.
The White House defended the move by citing earlier directives for workforce downsizing. Officials said the restructuring aims to return staff roles to home agencies. Meanwhile, intelligence sources warned that reduced staffing could weaken the government’s ability to detect and prevent security threats.