CIA and other spy agencies set to shrink workforce under Trump administration plan
WASHINGTON (AP) 鈥 The White House plans to cut staffing at the CIA and other intelligence agencies, including the National Security Agency, Trump administration officials told members of Congress, The Washington Post reported Friday.
By Mary Clare Jalonick And David Klepper The Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) 鈥 The White House plans to cut staffing at the CIA and other intelligence agencies, including the National Security Agency, Trump administration officials told members of Congress, The Washington Post reported Friday.
A person familiar with the plan but not authorized to discuss it publicly 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 NSA 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 hirings and would not likely necessitate layoffs.
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In response to questions about the reductions, the CIA issued a statement saying CIA Director is working to align the agency with Trump’s national security priorities.
鈥淭hese 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,鈥 the agency wrote in the statement.
A spokesperson for Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment. 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 .
The new administration has also eliminated diversity, equity and inclusion programs at intelligence agencies, though a judge has working on DEI programs who challenged their terminations.
Trump also the general who led the NSA and the Pentagon’s Cyber Command.
has to overhaul the CIA and said he wants to boost the agency’s use of intelligence from human sources and .
