Tulsi Gabbard, the Director of National Intelligence under the Trump administration, has announced a sweeping overhaul of the ODNI, aiming to cut the workforce by over 40% and slash the budget by more than $700 million annually as part of her "ODNI 2.0" initiative.
Gabbard describes the current agency as "bloated" and riddled with "abuse of power," claiming that these reforms are necessary to restore trust and efficiency within the intelligence community.
In a bold move, she revoked the security clearances of 37 current and former officials accused of politicizing intelligence for partisan gain, particularly those involved in the investigations surrounding Russian interference in the 2016 elections.
Gabbard's changes are framed as a response to what she perceives as the "weaponization of intelligence" in the previous administration, emphasizing a commitment to eliminate political bias within the agency.
The announcement has sparked significant debate, with some former officials warning that such drastic reductions may impair national security capabilities and hinder ongoing investigations.
Media coverage of Gabbard's restructuring efforts reflects heightened public interest in the role and accountability of the U.S. intelligence community amidst a complex political landscape.
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