ODNI overhaul workforce cut marks the beginning of a sweeping transformation at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI). In a bold move announced on August 20, 2025, Director Tulsi Gabbard unveiled “ODNI 2.0,” an aggressive restructuring plan that will shrink the agency’s staff by over 40 percent and save more than $700 million annually. This article explains what’s changing, why it matters, and what comes next.
What Is Driving the Overhaul?
The ODNI overhaul workforce cut stems from Gabbard’s sharp critique of the agency’s growth over the past two decades. She argued that ODNI had become bloated and inefficient, plagued by bureaucratic expansion, intelligence leaks, and a culture of politicization.
ODNI was created after the September 11 attacks to improve coordination among intelligence agencies. But in recent years, critics have claimed it has added layers of bureaucracy instead of solving the original problem. Gabbard said ODNI must return to its founding mission: to provide clear, unbiased intelligence to the President and senior policymakers.
Scope and Timeline of the Workforce Reductions
The plan is one of the largest reorganizations of a U.S. intelligence agency since the creation of ODNI itself.
- Size of the cuts: Staffing will be reduced by more than 40 percent, from about 1,800 employees to just over 1,300.
- Timeline: The cuts are expected to be completed by October 1, 2025.
- Savings: The restructuring is projected to save taxpayers more than $700 million per year.
This downsizing is not just about saving money; it is meant to streamline operations and remove what Gabbard views as unnecessary or politicized offices.
Offices and Functions Being Cut or Restructured
Several ODNI offices are being eliminated, merged, or moved. Gabbard believes many of them are duplicative or politically motivated.
Foreign Malign Influence Center
This center was set up to monitor foreign disinformation campaigns, especially during elections. Gabbard argued that it duplicated work already being done by other agencies. Critics, however, warn that eliminating it could leave a gap in monitoring foreign interference.
National Counterproliferation and Biosecurity Center
This office focused on weapons proliferation and biological threats. Its work will now be absorbed into other parts of the intelligence community.
Cyber Threat Intelligence Integration Center
The CTIIC was responsible for analyzing cyber threats. Gabbard said its functions overlap with other agencies, so it will be dismantled.
External Research Council and Strategic Futures Group
Both groups were tasked with long-term analysis and outside research. They will be shut down as part of the cuts.
National Intelligence University
The university will be transferred to the Department of Defense’s National Defense University. The move is intended to better integrate intelligence training under the Defense Department.
Reston Campus
The ODNI Reston campus will be closed, and its staff and operations consolidated into the main headquarters.
The Goal of ODNI 2.0
Gabbard has described ODNI 2.0 as a chance to rebuild trust in the intelligence community. The main goals include:
- Restoring focus on objective intelligence
- Eliminating politicization
- Reducing unnecessary bureaucracy
- Improving coordination across the 18 U.S. intelligence agencies
She emphasized that ODNI’s mission is not to influence political debates but to provide accurate intelligence that supports decision-making.
Political and Public Reactions
The announcement has sparked mixed reactions in Washington and among intelligence experts.
Republican Support
Many Republicans welcomed the cuts, saying they will reduce waste and restore ODNI’s original mission. Senator Tom Cotton, chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, praised the move as long overdue.
Democratic Concerns
Several Democrats have expressed concerns that the cuts could weaken U.S. intelligence capabilities, especially when it comes to tracking foreign interference in elections. Senator Mark Warner said the decision must be carefully reviewed to ensure it does not harm national security.
Experts’ Views
Some experts argue that the ODNI overhaul workforce cut could lead to gaps in intelligence, particularly in the fight against foreign disinformation. They warn that removing specialized offices could undermine coordination just when it is most needed. Others say the move could force ODNI to focus on its core mission and eliminate redundancy.
Implementation and Oversight
The restructuring process is already underway. Some employees will be reassigned to other agencies, while others will leave the intelligence community altogether. Vacant positions will not be filled, contributing to the overall reduction.
Congress will play a role in overseeing the changes, especially through the annual Intelligence Authorization Act. Lawmakers will be monitoring how the cuts affect intelligence capabilities and whether ODNI remains effective in its coordination role.
Risks and Challenges Ahead
While the financial savings and streamlined structure are attractive to many, there are several risks:
- Loss of specialized knowledge, particularly in cyber and disinformation threats
- Weakened coordination across the intelligence community
- Possible morale issues among employees facing layoffs or reassignment
- Increased political debate about whether the cuts are driven by efficiency or ideology
The success of ODNI 2.0 will depend on how well Gabbard can balance efficiency with the need to preserve critical intelligence capabilities.
Conclusion
The ODNI overhaul workforce cut represents one of the most significant shifts in U.S. intelligence policy since the early 2000s. Tulsi Gabbard’s plan to slash staffing by 40 percent and eliminate entire offices is aimed at reducing costs, restoring objectivity, and removing politicization from the intelligence process.
Supporters see this as a long-overdue correction to an agency that had grown too large and unwieldy. Critics worry it could leave the United States less prepared to counter threats like cyberattacks and foreign election interference.
As the October deadline approaches, the intelligence community and Congress will closely watch the rollout of ODNI 2.0. Whether this overhaul strengthens national security or exposes new vulnerabilities will become clear in the months and years ahead.
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