The Trump administration intends to significantly reduce the workforce of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and other U.S. intelligence agencies, planning to cut approximately 1,000 to 1,200 positions over several years, according to NBC News sources. This downsizing effort appears more targeted than the dismantling of other federal entities, such as the U.S. Agency for International Development. The CIA has not publicly disclosed its workforce size, but it had over 21,000 employees as of a 2013 leak.
While the specifics of the cuts remain unclear, a CIA spokesperson indicated that Director John Ratcliffe aims to align the agency’s staffing with national security priorities. Proposed strategies for personnel reduction include limiting hiring, early retirements, and voluntary “buyout” options for resignations, with no mass firings planned. This workforce reduction unfolds amid increasing global security threats, notably from China, Russia, and Iran.
At a recent Cabinet meeting, National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard reported that her office has become “25% smaller and more lean” since February. Gabbard has previously expressed support for downsizing the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, which manages U.S. spy agencies. Additionally, while the administration pursues these cuts, it has faced challenges, such as attempted firings of staff involved in diversity programs, which led to legal repercussions.
Overall, the planned reductions in CIA and other intelligence agency personnel reflect an ongoing push by the Trump administration and the Department of Government Efficiency to streamline the federal workforce without mass layoffs.
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