Gabbard to slash Director of National Intelligence staff by nearly 50%

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard announced Wednesday that her office will cut nearly half its workforce and consolidate several intelligence centers as part of a sweeping restructuring initiative called "ODNI 2.0."

The overhaul, billed by officials as the largest reform since the office was created after the September 11 terrorist attacks in 2001, is expected to save taxpayers more than $700 million annually while refocusing ODNI on its core role of integrating and overseeing the intelligence community, officials said.

ODNI has grown to nearly 1,850 employees over the last two decades and Gabbard said the office has become bloated and inefficient. Senior officials told ABC News the cuts will primarily target redundant functions and personnel. Employees affected will begin