Tulsi Gabbard Cuts ODNI Budget

The Trump administration, led by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, has announced significant cuts to the United States — Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), slashing its budget by over $700 million annually and reducing its workforce by more than 40%. This initiative, dubbed 'ODNI 2.0', aims to end 'the weaponisation of intelligence' and restore public trust, according to Tulsi Gabbard. Key changes include the dismantling of the United States — Foreign Malign Influence Center, created under the Joe Biden administration to counter foreign disinformation, and the consolidation of other offices like the United States — Cyber Threat Intelligence Integration Center and the United States — National Intelligence University. These actions are part of a broader effort by the Donald Trump administration to downsize the federal government and challenge previous intelligence assessments, particularly regarding Russian interference in elections. The overhaul has drawn divided reactions in the United States Congress, with Republicans like Tom Cotton praising the move and Democrats like Mark Warner and Jim Himes expressing strong concerns about its impact on national security and the politicization of intelligence.