The White House is planning to axe thousands jobs at the CIA and other intelligence agencies, officials told members of Congress per The Washington Post.
A person familiar with the plan but not authorized to discuss it publicly also confirmed the changes to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
The administration plans to reduce the CIA workforce by 1,200 over several years, and cut thousands of positions at the National Security Agency and other intelligence agencies.
The Post reported that the reductions at the CIA include several hundred people who have already opted for early retirement.
The rest of the cuts would be achieved partly through reduced hiring and would not likely necessitate layoffs.
In response to questions about the reductions, the CIA issued a statement saying CIA Director John Ratcliffe is working to aallign the agency with Trump’s national security priorities.
‘These moves are part of a holistic strategy to infuse the Agency with renewed energy, provide opportunities for rising leaders to emerge, and better position CIA to deliver on its mission,’ the agency wrote in the statement.
A spokesperson for Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.
The White House is planning to axe thousands jobs at the CIA and other intelligence agencies at the CIA officials told members of Congress. Pictured: CIA Director John Ratcliffe
The job cuts will take place over the next few years and will extend to the National Security Agency and other intelligence agencies. Pictured: President Trump with Ratcliffe
Gabbard’s office oversees and coordinates the work of 18 agencies that collect and analyze intelligence.
The CIA and NSA have already offered voluntary resignations to some employees. The CIA also has said it plans to lay off an unknown number of recently hired employees.
The new administration has also eliminated diversity, equity and inclusion programs at intelligence agencies, though a judge has temporarily blocked efforts to fire 19 employees working on DEI programs who challenged their terminations.
Trump also abruptly fired the general who led the NSA and the Pentagon’s Cyber Command.
Ratcliffe has vowed to overhaul the CIA and said he wants to boost the agency’s use of intelligence from human sources and its focus on China.
Rated as one of the most conservative members during his tenure in Congress, Ratcliffe spent time on the House Intelligence Committee before being tapped to serve in Trump’s first administration.
