Trump urges new spy chief to fire employeesfire employees
US President Donald Trump on Friday urged his incoming acting intelligence chief, Pulte, to start firing employees and shrink the intelligence community. The move has stirred criticism in Washington, where senators had already failed to advance a reauthorization for a key surveillance program, and it matters because it could reshape US intelligence operations and oversight.
White House / Trump administration
Trump framed the move as a push to improve the intelligence system and make it more effective. His allies present the plan as an effort to cut bureaucracy and reset leadership.
US Congress critics
Some senators and other critics see the appointment and restructuring push as risky because of Pulte’s lack of intelligence experience. They argue that major changes to the spy system should be handled with more caution and more oversight.
- The US intelligence community grew rapidly after World War II and expanded further during the Cold War.
- Congress often reviews surveillance powers in periodic reauthorization fights rather than through one permanent vote.
- The president’s intelligence appointments can matter well beyond Washington because they affect allied information sharing.
