Bill Pulte Announces Transition to New DNI Jay Clayton After Wrapping Up Deep State Purge

After cleaning house, Bill Pulte is on his way out as Acting Director of National Intelligence.

He will be passing the torch to new DNI Jay Clayton on Monday.

In a post on X, Pulte thanked President Trump for the opportunity and threw his full support behind Clayton.

Read his full statement here:

After speaking with the President Trump and Jay Clayton, we have decided the DNI transition will take place this coming Monday. I am eternally grateful to President Trump for the opportunity to serve as Director of National Intelligence, while he completed historic…

— Pulte (@pulte) August 1, 2026

After speaking with the President Trump and Jay Clayton, we have decided the DNI transition will take place this coming Monday. I am eternally grateful to President Trump for the opportunity to serve as Director of National Intelligence, while he completed historic declassifications and we right sized the ODNI. I have no doubt that Jay will do a tremendous job. I have offered Jay my complete and total support as he transitions to take over this incredible agency!

Immediately after stepping in to the role following Tulsi Gabbard’s departure, Bill Pulte carried out several waves of layoffs targeting Deep State intelligence officials.

In addition, he dropped multiple bombshell declassifications — primarily having to do with foreign interference in U.S. elections.

Here’s a summary of Pulte’s accomplishments during his brief time as Acting DNI:

• Oversaw multiple rounds of staff reductions at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), claiming an ~30% workforce cut through five rounds of terminations and reassignments (aimed at “right-sizing” and refocusing the agency).
• Early moves included firing a small number of political appointees (including some tied to predecessor Tulsi Gabbard) and returning dozens of career officers on loan (roughly 45–50 initially reported) to their home agencies; later reports and congressional notifications indicated broader reductions of around 200 staff overall during his tenure (critics noted some counts included planned rotations or unfilled positions).
• Facilitated and publicized declassifications (with presidential authorization to “declassify whatever you want”), including documents on foreign threats to U.S. elections, Chinese acquisition of U.S. voter data, Venezuelan electronic voting system manipulation capabilities (primarily in Venezuela), and related National Intelligence Council/CIA assessments on adversarial influence operations.
• Emphasized operational streamlining, transparency on election-related intelligence, and reducing what he described as bloated or politicized elements of the ODNI.

Now, Jay Clayton will be picking up where Bill Pulte left off.

He was confirmed by the Senate last Tuesday.

It’s unusual for a nominee to be sworn in days after confirmation. But, in the case, it was necessary for Pulte to wrap up the work he was doing at the ODNI.

The New York Post has more on Clayton’s confirmation:

The Senate voted 51-47 to confirm Clayton July 28, following the departure June 19 of Tulsi Gabbard.

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As Manhattan US Attorney, Clayton oversees most prosecutions involving terrorism, financial crime and other complex and sensitive issues.

During his confirmation hearing, the 58-year-old argued that the modern intelligence battlefield is no longer limited to armies but covers the financial markets, supply chains, sanctions, energy markets and artificial intelligence.

Many lawmakers wanted to see Clayton as DNI as opposed to Pulte, who has no national security background.

Trump, however, has been satisfied with Pulte’s work in an acting capacity, officials say.

Clayton and Pulte were both at Friday’s cabinet meeting at Camp David. Trump welcomed Clayton to the group and the incoming DNI director received a round of applause.