The White House has plans to reduce staffing at intelligence agencies, such as the CIA and NSA, according to sources from the Trump administration who spoke to Congress. This information was reported by The Washington Post.
Those familiar with the strategy, but not authorized to speak publicly, confirmed the details to the Associated Press, requesting anonymity. The plan involves decreasing the CIA’s workforce by about 1,200 positions over several years, with additional cuts anticipated for the NSA and other intelligence entities.
Reportedly, many of the CIA cuts will include individuals who have already opted for early retirement. It’s expected that reductions will also derive from fewer new hires, which should minimize the need for actual layoffs.
In response to inquiries about these staffing reductions, the CIA stated that Director John Ratcliffe is aligning efforts with Trump’s national security goals. The agency described these changes as part of a broader strategy to revitalize the institutions, empower emerging leaders, and better position the CIA to meet its objectives.
A spokesperson for National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard did not provide immediate comments.
Gabbard’s office is responsible for overseeing the activities of 18 agencies that handle intelligence collection and analysis. Both the CIA and NSA have begun offering voluntary resignations to some staff members. Additionally, the CIA is planning to terminate an unspecified number of recently hired employees.
The new administration has also discontinued diversity, equity, and inclusion programs at the intelligence agency, although a judge has temporarily halted efforts to dismiss 19 employees involved in the DEI initiatives.
In a notable shake-up, Trump recently dismissed the general in charge of the NSA and Pentagon Cyber Command. Meanwhile, Ratcliffe has voiced his intention to reform the CIA, aiming to enhance the agency’s reliance on information from human sources and shift focus toward China.
