DNI Tulsi Gabbard unveils intel reorganization, downsizing after bombshell weaponization revelations

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard on Wednesday unveiled a massive reorganization of the U.S. intelligence community that will cut hundreds of positions inside her own office and put pressure on other spy agencies to do the same after bombshell revelations over politicized weaponization of intelligence.

The current plan will cut about 40% of the ODNI workforce and save taxpayers more than $700 million per year, refocusing the agency on its core mission as the central hub for integration, strategic guidance, and oversight of the U.S. intelligence community, officials said.

“Over the last 20 years, ODNI has become bloated and inefficient, and the intelligence community is rife with abuse of power, unauthorized leaks of classified intelligence, and politicized weaponization of intelligence,” Gabbard said. “ODNI and the IC must make serious changes to fulfill its responsibility to the American people and the U.S. Constitution by focusing on our core mission: find the truth and provide objective, unbiased, timely intelligence to the President and policymakers.

"Ending the weaponization of intelligence and holding bad actors accountable are essential to begin to earn the American people’s trust which has long been eroded," she added. "Under President Trump’s leadership, ODNI 2.0 is the start of a new era focused on serving our country, fulfilling our core national security mission with excellence, always grounded in the U.S. Constitution, and ensuring the safety, security, and freedom of the American people.”

ODNI was created to be a small oversight agency after the September 11, 2001, terror attacks exposed systemic intelligence and law enforcement failures. Over the years the agency ballooned to between 1,750 and 2000 workers.