Republican Senators Recommend Reducing the Size of Intelligence Office Headed by Tulsi Gabbard

A prominent Republican senator, Tom Cotton of Arkansas, is proposing a significant restructuring of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), aiming to drastically reduce its workforce. Established after the September 11 attacks, the ODNI’s staff, which currently includes around 1,600 personnel, would be limited to just 650 under Cotton’s upcoming bill.

This move comes as part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to decrease the federal workforce. In recent months, ODNI’s head, National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard, has already implemented a staff reduction of about 20%.

This downsizing may potentially undermine her influence within the intelligence community, particularly as she reportedly faces diminishing support from the White House. A source familiar with Cotton’s proposed reforms indicated that these discussions began before Gabbard’s tenure, highlighting bipartisan interest in reevaluating the agency’s mission.

While Cotton has not publicly commented on the matter, an ODNI official stated that Gabbard and her team have been in ongoing conversations with congressional staff regarding extensive reforms. The official emphasized that all parties are keen on refocusing ODNI on its core national security objectives, with announcements regarding efficiency plans forthcoming.

The proposed legislation, dubbed the Intelligence Community Efficiency and Effectiveness Act, would reassign key functions from ODNI to other intelligence agencies, including shifting a counterterrorism center to the FBI. Additionally, the bill aims to eliminate specific centers that have been perceived as redundant.

The intent is to streamline operations and ensure that only the most qualified personnel remain at the ODNI. Despite speculation regarding Gabbard’s role under the Trump administration, her supporters argue that while there is some tension, it has been exaggerated.

The changes proposed reflect a broader acknowledgment from lawmakers of the need for reform within the intelligence community, although it remains uncertain how much traction Cotton’s proposal will gain.