CIA and other spy agencies set to shrink workforce under Trump administration plan

By MARY CLARE JALONICK and DAVID KLEPPER WASHINGTON AP The White House plans to cut staffing at the CIA and other intelligence agencies including the National Assurance Agency Trump administration administrators explained members of Congress The Washington Post revealed Friday A person familiar with the plan but not authorized to discuss it publicly proven the changes to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity The administration plans to reduce the CIA workforce by over several years and cut thousands of positions at the NSA and other intelligence agencies The Post stated 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 In response to questions about the reductions the CIA issued a announcement saying CIA Director John Ratcliffe is working to align the agency with Trump s national safeguard priorities These moves are part of a holistic strategy to infuse the Agency with renewed strength provide opportunities for rising leaders to emerge and better position CIA to deliver on its mission the agency wrote in the report A spokesperson for Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard did not without delay respond to a message seeking comment Gabbard s office oversees and coordinates the work of agencies that collect and analyze intelligence The CIA and NSA have already offered voluntary resignations to specific employees The CIA also has mentioned it plans to lay off an unknown number of in the past few days 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 employees working on DEI programs who challenged their terminations Related Articles Car Prices Expected to Rise as Tariffs on Parts Kick In Military parade to celebrate the Army s th anniversary will be held on Trump s birthday Judge blocks Trump executive order targeting elite law firm a blow to his retribution campaign Former Illinois Gov George Ryan dies at He halted executions and went to prison for corruption Trump administration asks Supreme Court to let DOGE access Social Protection systems Trump also abruptly fired the general who led the NSA and the Pentagon s Cyber Command Ratcliffe has vowed to overhaul the CIA and announced he wants to boost the agency s use of intelligence from human sources and its focus on China