Acting DNI Bill Pulte Fires Dozens of U.S. Intelligence Officials

Acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte issued termination notices on Thursday, July 2, 2026, to “dozens” of intelligence officials. An anonymous intelligence source said the Trump administration framed the dismissals as removal of individuals “who they believe are deep state” and alleged that the officials had failed to provide complete intelligence assessments. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) and the White House did not respond to requests for comment.

Acting DNI Bill Pulte begins firing dozens of intelligence officialsCNBC

President Donald Trump appointed Bill Pulte—then director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA)—as acting DNI in June 2026. Pulte’s lack of prior intelligence experience was noted in media reports. In May 2026, he eliminated six political appointees who had served under former DNI Tulsi Gabbard, marking his first wave of personnel changes. The July terminations represent a second, larger purge.

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• Bill Pulte (William Pulte) – Acting DNI, former FHFA director.

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• President Donald Trump – Nominated Pulte to the intelligence post.

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• Tulsi Gabbard – Former DNI whose political appointees were removed in May.

Acting DNI Bill Pulte begins firing dozens of intelligence officials

• CIA Director John Ratcliffe – Cited as an official who would be aware of any intelligence gaps.

Acting DNI Bill Pulte begins firing dozens of intelligence officials

• ODNI – Central agency receiving intelligence from the CIA, NSA, DIA, and fifteen other agencies.

Acting DNI Bill Pulte begins firing dozens of intelligence officials

• Anonymous intelligence official – Provided the “deep state” rationale.

Acting DNI Bill Pulte begins firing dozens of intelligence officials

• Four former senior intelligence officials – Offered criticism of the firings.

Acting DNI Bill Pulte begins firing dozens of intelligence officials

• June 2026: President Trump names Bill Pulte acting DNI.

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• April 22, 2026: Pulte holds a news conference at FHFA headquarters in Washington, DC.

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• May 2026: Six political appointees from the Gabbard era are dismissed.

Acting DNI Bill Pulte begins firing dozens of intelligence officials

• July 2, 2026: Termination notices sent to dozens of intelligence officials.

Acting DNI Bill Pulte begins firing dozens of intelligence officials

• Dozens of intelligence officials terminated (exact number undisclosed).

Acting DNI Bill Pulte begins firing dozens of intelligence officials

• Six political appointees removed in the prior month.

Acting DNI Bill Pulte begins firing dozens of intelligence officials

• ODNI receives intelligence from the CIA, the National Security Agency, the Defense Intelligence Agency, and fifteen additional agencies.

Acting DNI Bill Pulte begins firing dozens of intelligence officials

The White House and ODNI declined to comment on the July terminations. A source indicated that CIA Director John Ratcliffe would be positioned to identify any intelligence shortfalls, though no direct statement from Ratcliffe was provided.

Acting DNI Bill Pulte begins firing dozens of intelligence officials

Four former senior intelligence officials, speaking anonymously, described the premise of the firings as “absurd” and questioned Pulte’s ability to assess intelligence operations without prior experience. One official likened the action to “taking over a hospital and firing dozens of surgeons in a matter of days,” emphasizing concerns about the fidelity of remaining intelligence.

Acting DNI Bill Pulte begins firing dozens of intelligence officials

• “who they believe are deep state.” — Anonymous intelligence official

Acting DNI Bill Pulte begins firing dozens of intelligence officials

• “The premise is absurd,” — Former senior intelligence official

Acting DNI Bill Pulte begins firing dozens of intelligence officials

• “I have a real question of how he would know this. This isn’t a guy who is familiar with intelligence,” — Former senior intelligence official

Acting DNI Bill Pulte begins firing dozens of intelligence officials

• “How is he going to get to the bottom of this and rely on any information with a matter of fidelity? It would be like me taking over a hospital and firing dozens of surgeons in a matter of days.” — Former senior intelligence official

Acting DNI Bill Pulte begins firing dozens of intelligence officials

No official confirmation exists regarding the precise number of terminations or the specific criteria used. The administration’s “deep state” justification remains unverified, and the ODNI’s lack of response leaves the scope of the personnel changes unclear.

Acting DNI Bill Pulte begins firing dozens of intelligence officials

The abrupt removal of numerous intelligence personnel raises concerns about continuity of analysis, potential politicization of intelligence, and the capacity of ODNI to maintain comprehensive threat assessments.

Acting DNI Bill Pulte begins firing dozens of intelligence officials

Observers anticipate internal reviews within ODNI, possible congressional inquiries, and further statements from the White House as the intelligence community adjusts to the personnel shift.

Acting DNI Bill Pulte begins firing dozens of intelligence officials