ODNI’s Fourth Layoff Wave and Release of Election-Threat Documents

Acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte announced that, as of the evening of his statement, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) had completed a fourth round of staff reductions since he assumed the role on June 19. Pulte said the cuts were “thoughtful, measured” and intended to refocus the agency on national-security priorities. Within days of taking over, the office also disclosed a collection of documents concerning foreign threats to the 2020 U.S. election, including a declassified CIA note on Venezuelan interest in manipulating electronic voting systems.

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Former DNI Tulsi Gabbard asserted that she had dismissed roughly 500 employees—about 30 % of the agency’s workforce—during her 16-month tenure. Lawmakers from both parties have previously expressed reservations about Pulte’s lack of intelligence experience and his earlier attempts to push for criminal indictments of individuals perceived as President Trump’s political opponents. Earlier in the month, President Trump alleged that the Chinese government had obtained “hundreds of millions” of U.S. voter-registration files during the 2020 campaign.

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elections.

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• “The relevant allegations by the U.S. are entirely fabricated and aimed at vilifying China,” — Lin Jian, foreign ministry spokesperson

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