The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), has, reportedly become the first major national security agency to extend buyout offers to its entire workforce, according to a CIA spokesperson and two other sources cited in a CNN report. This move is part of US President Donald Trump’s broader initiative to downsize the federal government and align it with his administration’s priorities.
The buyout offer allows federal employees to voluntarily resign and receive approximately eight months of pay and benefits. Previously, such offers had not been extended to most national security roles, given their critical function in safeguarding the nation. CIA Director John Ratcliffe, however, decided the agency should participate in this initiative.
As per a CIA spokesperson, cited in the CNN report, these buyouts are part of Ratcliffe’s strategy to “ensure the CIA workforce is responsive to the Administration’s national security priorities,” describing it as a “holistic strategy to infuse the Agency with renewed energy.”
Despite the offer being sent to the entire agency workforce, it remains unclear whether all employees will be eligible to participate. Certain roles and areas of expertise are likely to be exempt, given the essential nature of some positions, it has been learnt from the report. As per sources, the program’s scope within the CIA is more limited than in other civil service agencies that do not handle national security tasks. Furthermore, Ratcliffe retains discretion over the timing of officer departures in critical areas.
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) issued guidance last week indicating that some officers at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) might be eligible for the program, though not all positions will qualify, according to two sources familiar with the matter.
The decision to include the CIA in the buyout program appears to be recent. As of last week, the CIA workforce was still being informed that eligibility was under consideration, as per another source cited in the CNN report. The Wall Street Journal had first reported on the broad CIA buyout offer.
Notably, Trump and his allies have previously accused CIA intelligence officers of being part of a “deep state” intent on undermining his presidency. Some national security officials aligned with Trump have argued that the CIA has become overly focused on analysis at the expense of clandestine intelligence collection and covert operations – core functions of the agency’s smaller Directorate of Operations.
“To the brave CIA officers listening all around the world, if all of this sounds like what you signed up for, then buckle up and get ready to make a difference,” Ratcliffe had noted in his opening statement. “If it doesn’t, then it’s time to find a new line of work.”
The deferred resignation program has sparked controversy across the federal government. Unions have urged members not to accept the offer, which was announced via a mass email from the OPM to federal employees on January 28.
The Trump administration is reportedly planning widespread layoffs across the federal workforce. Employees who do not accept the deferred resignation offer risk being affected by upcoming “Reductions in Force,” expected to commence shortly after the OPM’s February 6 deadline for accepting the buyout package.
