Acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte has removed 51 staffers from ODNI roles, with six fired and 45 returned to their home agencies, CBS reported. The cuts follow earlier downsizing under Tulsi Gabbard and have drawn warnings from lawmakers in both parties.
Posts tagged as “Mark Warner”
Section 702, a major U.S. surveillance authority used to collect foreign intelligence, is set to lapse after Congress failed to pass an extension. Lawmakers disagree over whether existing court approvals will keep the program operating without interruption.
A push to renew Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act has stalled after President Trump named Bill Pulte acting director of national intelligence. Democrats and some Republicans say Pulte lacks the qualifications for the role and are pressing for a permanent nominee.
Madison Warner, daughter of Senator Mark Warner, dies at 36 after a long battle with juvenile diabetes. The senator and his wife expressed deep sorrow and requested privacy during this difficult time.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order to impose stricter mail-in voting rules, including requiring states to use federally approved voter lists and threatening to withhold federal funds from non-compliant states, citing unproven claims of widespread mail-in voting fraud. The order faces significant legal challenges, with experts deeming it likely unconstitutional and lawsuits already underway, while the Justice Department is also using voter data for immigration and criminal investigations. Additionally, a federal judge blocked Trump’s unauthorized White House construction project, and political tensions escalate ahead of the midterms amid concerns over federal interference in state election processes.
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard testified before the Senate Intelligence Committee, expressing a cautious stance on Iran’s nuclear threat and avoiding full endorsement of the U.S.-Israeli military campaign. Her testimony highlighted divisions within the administration and intelligence community, especially after her deputy resigned in protest over the conflict’s justification. The ongoing conflict has caused significant geopolitical and economic disruptions, with Iran retaliating against U.S. interests despite degraded military capabilities.
Joe Kent, former head of the National Counterterrorism Center, resigned in protest of the U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran, arguing that Iran posed no imminent threat and criticizing the war as influenced by Israeli pressure. His departure has intensified scrutiny on National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard, who has maintained a neutral public stance but is expected to clarify her position during upcoming Senate testimony. The resignation has sparked debate within the Trump administration and Congress, highlighting divisions over U.S. foreign policy and the potential political consequences of the conflict.