Trump orders reduction of US National Intelligence staff

US President Donald Trump has instructed the head of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to begin reducing personnel at the agency, according to The Wall Street Journal, cited by Report.

"I would like to see this structure smaller in size. I think there are a lot of people there who should not be in their positions," he said.

According to the information, the president considers the agency, which oversees 18 intelligence bodies and units, to be "redundant and too large." He also confirmed that he has directed Acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte to begin implementing staff reductions.

Trump added that he wants the process to begin immediately, while not ruling out a broader review of the agency's role.

"We made the Department of Education much smaller, and this structure should also become significantly smaller. It may even be abolished entirely, and we will make that decision," he said.