Trump tells Pulte to begin intelligence firings

President Donald Trump has directed incoming acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte to begin the process of firing intelligence community employees, according to an interview published Friday by The Wall Street Journal. Trump said he wants the intelligence apparatus to be smaller and argued that some employees should not be there. Pulte is set to take over in an acting role after Tulsi Gabbard’s resignation becomes effective on June 30. The move has drawn criticism from some lawmakers, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune, who said the office needs professionals rather than a politicized DNI. Trump has said the temporary appointment could help Pulte make difficult changes before a permanent successor is chosen.