Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard announced a 40% personnel cut and the shutdown of several centers accused of politicizing intelligence operations.

According to The Daily Caller, Gabbard informed her staff via email about the changes, which stem from months of audits revealing issues like mission creep and weaponized intelligence. The overhaul, dubbed ODNI 2.0, marks the first major restructuring in the office's 20-year history.

Gabbard highlighted in her message that the review uncovered stagnant decision-making and bloated bureaucracy within the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. She expressed gratitude for employees' service while confirming that pink slips and reassignments would begin effective Sept. 30.

Overhaul Targets Politicized Centers

The reforms include closing the Foreign Malign Influence Center, which had ties to social media firms for combating foreign threats but was found to have suppressed stories about Hunter Biden's laptop. Officials also plan to shutter the National Counterproliferation and Biosecurity Center, criticized for downplaying evidence of a lab origin for COVID-19.

Additionally, the Cyber Threat Intelligence Integration Center will be closed, with its missions redirected to ODNI Mission Integration to streamline operations. Senior officials noted that these centers had contributed to the politicization of intelligence products.

The overhaul extends to dissolving the Strategic Futures Group and the External Research Council, described by Gabbard as hubs for injecting partisan priorities into intelligence community outputs. The External Research Group, established last year by removed officials accused of leaking classified information, will no longer operate.

Staff Reductions and Cost Savings

Combined with President Donald Trump's executive order eliminating Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs, the ODNI workforce will drop to about 1,300 from 2,000, achieving nearly a 50% reduction. These measures are projected to save $700 million annually, with further reviews examining the redirection of $1 billion in spending.

Gabbard approached the reforms, open to potentially closing the entire ODNI, but audits determined that restructuring was feasible instead. On her first day, she solicited suggestions from staff to inform the process.

The changes may extend to other agencies in the 18-member intelligence community once ODNI completes its internal adjustments. A senior official emphasized starting with their own organization before broader expansions.

Historical Context and Ongoing Probes

The ODNI was established by the 2004 Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act to address intelligence failures before the 9/11 attacks, yet silos and biases have persisted. Recent declassifications reveal that a 2017 assessment on Russian election interference violated standards, with raw data withheld under former CIA Director John Brennan.

In 2021, an intelligence community ombudsman found that CIA officials downplayed China-related 2020 election interference due to opposition to the president's China policies. These revelations underscore the need for reforms to restore analytic integrity.

The reform push coincides with a grand jury investigation into former officials like ex-DNI James Clapper for allegedly conspiring to portray President Donald Trump as influenced by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Gabbard has already revoked nearly 40 security clearances in connection with Russiagate fallout.

Gabbard Leads Intelligence Cleanup

Tulsi Gabbard, as Director of National Intelligence, initiated the ODNI 2.0 overhaul in McLean, Virginia, to eliminate partisan elements and restore focus after audits exposed weaponized intelligence and inefficiencies. The changes address why past failures like intelligence stovepiping post-9/11 persisted, aiming to prevent future politicization across the agency.

Staff reductions and center closures will take effect by Sept. 30, with potential expansions to other intelligence community organizations following ODNI's model. Officials anticipate annual savings of $700 million and a reevaluation of $1 billion in spending to align with evolving priorities.

This effort reflects broader accountability measures, including investigations into figures like former DNI James Clapper and shifts such as integrating National Intelligence University programs into the National Defense University. Future steps may involve redirecting resources and ensuring non-partisan intelligence practices throughout the 18-agency network.