Tulsi Gabbard Launches ODNI 2.0: Major Staff Cuts and $700M Savings to Streamline U.S. Intelligence

ODNI 2.0: Tulsi Gabbard Unveils Sweeping Intelligence Overhaul to Save $700 Million

In a bold move that’s sure to spark debate in Washington, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard announced Wednesday a plan to cut roughly 40% of her office’s workforce by October. The goal? Streamlining operations, slashing waste, and saving taxpayers an estimated $700 million annually.

Gabbard, speaking from the ODNI headquarters, framed the initiative as a much-needed reboot for the intelligence apparatus, which she described as having become “bloated and inefficient” over the past two decades. She dubbed the effort ODNI 2.0, positioning it as a transformative overhaul aimed at making the agency “more agile, effective, and efficient.”

“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 said. “ODNI 2.0 marks the start of a new era focused on serving our country, fulfilling our core national security mission with excellence, and always staying grounded in the U.S. Constitution. Our priority is the safety, security, and freedom of the American people.”

Why the Overhaul?

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence was created in 2004 in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks that devastated New York City, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania. Congress designed ODNI to serve as a central oversight body for the 18 intelligence agencies scattered across the federal government, with the goal of improving coordination and preventing the intelligence failures that contributed to 9/11.

Since its inception, the office’s staff has ballooned to approximately 1,850 employees, though about 500 positions were already eliminated during President Trump’s second term. Now, Gabbard’s plan would shrink the workforce even further, while also freezing hiring for vacant roles.

How the Cuts Will Work

The restructuring involves more than just letting go of staff. Some of the ODNI’s key functions will be absorbed into other parts of the intelligence infrastructure. For instance:

• The Foreign Malign Influence Center, National Counterproliferation and Biosecurity Center, and the Cyber Threat Intelligence Integration Center will have their responsibilities shifted to the ODNI’s Mission Integration Directorate and the National Intelligence Council.

• The National Intelligence University, a key training hub for intelligence officers, will transition under the Defense Department’s National Defense University.

• The External Research Council will be dissolved, with its work either absorbed elsewhere or discontinued.

• The ODNI’s facilities in Reston, Virginia, will be closed, with remaining operations centralized at headquarters.

Gabbard emphasized that these changes are not just about trimming costs—they’re designed to refocus the office on its core mission, eliminate redundancy, and improve intelligence outcomes.

The Broader Context: Intelligence Reform

This is not the first time ODNI has faced scrutiny. Critics argue that over the years, the agency has struggled with internal inefficiency, mismanagement, and the politicization of intelligence. Reports of unauthorized leaks and questionable intelligence assessments have fueled a perception that the office has drifted away from its original mandate.

Gabbard’s plan aims to tackle these issues head-on, emphasizing constitutional responsibility and national security above all else. “This is about refocusing our efforts on what truly matters: protecting the American people and making sure our intelligence operations are effective, accountable, and apolitical,” she said.

ODNI 2.0: A Closer Look

While details of the staff reductions and facility consolidations dominate headlines, Gabbard also highlighted several strategic shifts in how intelligence will be managed and deployed:

1. Integration Over Fragmentation – By absorbing multiple centers into the Mission Integration Directorate and the National Intelligence Council, the agency hopes to reduce silos and improve communication across the intelligence community.

2. Education Realignment – Moving the National Intelligence University under the Defense Department is expected to streamline training programs, foster closer ties with military intelligence education, and optimize resource use.

3. Cost Efficiency – Closing underutilized facilities and freezing vacant positions could save hundreds of millions per year, funds Gabbard says could be better spent on operational priorities.

4. Accountability Measures – By consolidating and simplifying the organizational structure, ODNI aims to make lines of responsibility clearer, which proponents hope will reduce the risk of leaks and mismanagement.

Reactions and Implications

Naturally, such sweeping changes come with both support and skepticism. Advocates argue that cutting staff and closing redundant operations is a long-overdue reform that will make ODNI more nimble and focused. They point out that bureaucracy can slow decision-making, and trimming fat is essential to keeping America’s intelligence community sharp in the face of evolving global threats.

Critics, however, warn that reducing personnel by nearly half could strain operations, disrupt ongoing projects, and risk losing institutional knowledge. Some lawmakers and former intelligence officials have voiced concerns that the plan may be rushed or politically motivated, questioning whether taxpayer savings justify potential operational risks.

Despite potential pushback, Gabbard framed the initiative as a bold, necessary step. “We are not just cutting jobs for the sake of cutting jobs,” she said. “This is about creating an ODNI that is ready for the challenges of the 21st century—a lean, effective agency committed to protecting our nation and upholding the Constitution.”

A Look Ahead

If fully implemented, ODNI 2.0 could reshape the intelligence landscape for years to come. By consolidating centers, realigning educational institutions, and reducing the workforce, the office aims to create a culture that prizes efficiency, agility, and accountability.

The plan also signals a broader trend in government reform, reflecting a push from some corners of Washington to trim bureaucracy, curb spending, and ensure agencies focus on their core missions. For ODNI, that mission remains clear: coordinating the nation’s intelligence apparatus to prevent threats, safeguard citizens, and provide policymakers with reliable, actionable information.

In short, ODNI 2.0 is about more than just budgets and staff numbers—it’s about redefining how America gathers, processes, and acts on intelligence in an era where cyber threats, global terrorism, and geopolitical competition are constant. As Gabbard put it: “The American people deserve an intelligence community that is fearless, focused, and fundamentally committed to the principles that make our nation strong.”

Key Takeaways

• 40% Staff Cut – ODNI plans to reduce its workforce significantly by October.

• $700 Million in Savings – These reductions aim to save taxpayer money without compromising national security.

• Structural Overhaul – Multiple centers will be absorbed, and the National Intelligence University moves to the Defense Department.

• Facility Consolidation – Reston operations will close, with work centralized at headquarters.

• Focus on Core Mission – The overhaul emphasizes efficiency, accountability, and alignment with constitutional principles.

• Mixed Reactions – Supporters hail agility improvements; critics warn of knowledge loss and operational strain.

ODNI 2.0 is ambitious, controversial, and undoubtedly a conversation starter in Washington and beyond. Whether it will deliver on its promise of a leaner, smarter intelligence community remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the landscape of American intelligence is about to change in a big way.