CIA now offering buyouts to entire staff in President Trump's latest push to downsize the government
Share and Follow

The Central Intelligence Agency on Tuesday became the first major national security agency to offer so-called buyouts to its entire workforce, a CIA spokesperson and two other sources familiar with the offer said, as part of President Donald Trump’s broad effort to shrink the federal government and shape it to his agenda.

The offer – which tells federal employees that they can quit their jobs and receive roughly eight months of pay and benefits – had up until Tuesday not been made available to most national security roles in an apparent cognizance of their critical function to the security of the nation.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe personally decided he also wanted the CIA to be involved, one of the sources said.

The spokesperson said that the move is part of Ratcliffe’s efforts to “ensure the CIA workforce is responsive to the Administration’s national security priorities,” adding that is “part of a holistic strategy to infuse the Agency with renewed energy.”

Still, even as the offer was sent to the entire workforce at the agency, it was not immediately clear whether all would be allowed to take it. Some specific occupations and areas of expertise appear likely to be restricted, one of the sources familiar with the offer said, suggesting that the effort is far less sweeping than in civil service agencies that are not considered to be doing national security work. There’s also a caveat for Ratcliffe to retain flexibility to work through the timing of officer departures in critical areas, according to another source familiar with the matter.

The Office of Personnel Management had issued internal guidance last week that some officers at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence may be able to participate in the program but that not all positions at the ODNI will necessarily be eligible, according to two other sources familiar with the communications.

The decision to include the CIA in the program appears to be a recent one: As of last week, the CIA workforce was still being advised that officials were trying to determine whether they would be eligible for the program, one of those sources said.

The broad CIA offer was first reported by the Wall Street Journal.

Trump and his allies have claimed at different points that intelligence officers at the CIA have been part of a “deep state” determined to undermine him, and some critics have described the deferred resignation program as a purge – something Trump officials have denied.

Some national security officials in Trump’s orbit believe that the CIA in recent years has become too heavily weighted towards analysis at the expense of clandestinely collecting intelligence and carrying out covert operations – functions of the agency’s much smaller Directorate of Operations.

Ratcliffe during his confirmation hearing vowed to reinvest in both.

“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,” he said in his opening statement. “If it doesn’t, then it’s time to find a new line of work.”

The deferred resignation program has caused an uproar across government. The controversial offer, which unions have urged members not to accept, was unveiled in a mass email from the OPM to federal employees on January 28.

The Trump administration is now planning widespread layoffs among the federal workforce soon, leaving employees across the government who don’t accept the deferred resignation offer at risk of losing their jobs.

The layoffs, which are being referred to internally as sweeping “Reductions in Force,” are expected to begin soon after the Thursday deadline that the Office of Personnel Management set for workers to accept the resignation package, officials said.

The package allows them to leave voluntarily and be paid through September 30 but not have to continue working. It was not clear whether those same terms applied to the offer sent to the CIA workforce.

The CNN Wire™ & © 2023 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Ex-DOJ worker accused of hurling sandwich that ‘exploded’ on federal officer claims it was protest, not crime

Ex-DOJ Employee Defends Sandwich Toss at Federal Officer as Protest, Not Assault

A Washington, D.C., resident on trial for allegedly throwing a sandwich at…
Charlie Kirk’s daughter asks for 'daddy' months after his murder, Erika Kirk says

Heartbreaking Plea: Charlie Kirk’s Daughter Longs for ‘Daddy’ Months After His Tragic Murder

In a poignant revelation, Erika Kirk shared that her young daughter continues…
Convicted 'Ten Most Wanted’ fugitive faked bloody death, resurfaced as student before capture: authorities

Fugitive from ‘Ten Most Wanted’ List Staged Death, Lived as Student Before Arrest: Authorities Reveal Shocking Details

A notorious sex offender, once listed among Oklahoma’s Ten Most Wanted fugitives,…
Escaped monkeys from Mississippi truck crash puts spotlight on NIH-funded Tulane lab

Tragic Twist: Two Monkeys Down, One Still Missing After Shocking Truck Crash

A week after a truck accident in Mississippi, officials have reported that…
25 best electronic gifts for teens and tweens 2025: From the latest tech to must-have gadgets, including strip lights and AirPods

Top 25 Tech-Savvy Gifts for Teens & Tweens in 2025: Essential Gadgets from Strip Lights to AirPods

Disclosure: Localish participates in various affiliate marketing schemes and may receive a…
Kendall Jenner shares sizzling snaps from boozy 30th celebrations

Kendall Jenner’s 30th Birthday Bash: Exclusive Inside Look at Her Glamorous and Boozy Celebration

Kendall Jenner recently set social media abuzz with stunning photos from her…
Prince Harry denies claims he is trying to upstage William

Prince Harry Refutes Allegations of Attempting to Overshadow Prince William

Prince Harry has refuted claims that he intentionally attempted to upstage Prince…
White House ridicules Mamdani's election day claim over bomb threats

White House Dismisses Mamdani’s Election Day Bomb Threat Allegations as Baseless

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has criticized New York mayoral candidate…