Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard announced plans to cut the ODNI (Office of the Director of National Intelligence) workforce by more than 40% by the end of FY25, aiming to save $700 million annually and streamline the intelligence community’s (IC) operations. Supporters argue the office has become bloated and inefficient, while critics warn the cuts risk dismantling the central hub that coordinates intelligence across agencies.

Experts caution that reducing staff and revoking clearances during a time of heightened global threats could weaken U.S. intelligence, erode trust among allies, and create dangerous blind spots.

The issues with the cuts are also about how it is being undertaken, warns Kristen Patel, Donald P. and Margaret Curry Gregg Professor of Practice in Korean and East Asian Affairs. She says the bloat has become common as ODNI has grown.

“I’ve heard people complain about it within the IC,” says Patel. “There have also been arguments that DNI has grown beyond its original intent. There is always a process of streamlining and covering the priorities effectively, but this doesn’t seem to be an effective way to do it.”

Read more in the ClearanceJobs article, “DNI Tulsi Gabbard Plans ODNI Workforce Cut in $700M Shakeup.”