Zoom out: Gabbard briefed Trump, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and Marco Rubio — in Rubio's capacity as national security adviser — about the planned force reduction two weeks ago, the officials said. It's estimated that the measures will save $700 million a year.

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard announced plans Wednesday to cut her agency’s workforce by up to 40% in the coming weeks — and eliminate several offices that “politicized” the flow of critical information.

Tulsi Gabbard told President Trump before her nomination that she had come to peace with serving as last director of national intelligence if eliminating the post was necessary to permanently reform the sprawling intelligence community.