DNI Gabbard pledges to slash agency, stay focused on the mission

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard Announces Major Transformation

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard unveiled a significant overhaul of the agency on Wednesday, aiming to trim the “bloated” ODNI by over 40% by the year’s end. This move is projected to save taxpayers more than $700 million annually while maintaining the agency’s core national security and intelligence functions in a more agile, effective, and efficient manner.

Gabbard described the transformation as long-overdue, emphasizing the need to refocus ODNI and eliminate offices that have been involved in the politicization of intelligence.

GABBARD ESTABLISHES NEW INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY TASK FORCE

“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 stated. “It is imperative that ODNI and the IC make serious changes to fulfill their responsibility to the American people and the U.S. Constitution by focusing on our core mission: providing objective, unbiased, and timely intelligence to the President and policymakers.”

Gabbard emphasized the importance of ending the weaponization of intelligence and holding accountable those who have acted inappropriately in order to rebuild trust with the American people.

Under President Trump’s leadership, ODNI 2.0 marks the beginning of a new era focused on excellence in fulfilling the agency’s national security mission while upholding the principles of the U.S. Constitution and ensuring the safety, security, and freedom of the American people.

ODNI was initially established in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks to address systemic failures within the intelligence community. However, an ODNI spokesperson acknowledged that the agency has fallen short of fulfilling its mandate over the past two decades.

ODNI 2.0 will focus on eliminating redundant missions, functions, and personnel, while making critical investments in areas that align with President Trump’s national intelligence priorities.

ODNI 2.0 Promises Reforms for Greater Efficiency and Accountability

Gabbard’s initiatives include streamlining operations, closing the Reston Campus, and moving the National Intelligence Council to the main ODNI campus for improved efficiency and oversight. She is also leading efforts to optimize the intelligence community’s workforce and enhance information sharing and collaboration.

Additionally, Gabbard is implementing security clearance reforms, deterring counterintelligence threats, and overseeing investigations into unauthorized leaks of classified information through the National Counterterrorism Center and the National Counterintelligence and Security Center.

These reforms aim to enhance the intelligence community’s capabilities, increase transparency, and ensure that ODNI and the IC operate more effectively and ethically.