White House Plans Deep Cuts across US Intelligence Agencies

The White House is preparing to eliminate thousands of positions at the CIA, National Security Agency (NSA), and other intelligence bodies, according to officials who briefed members of Congress, the Washington Post reported.

A separate individual familiar with the plan, who was not authorized to speak publicly, confirmed the details to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

The restructuring includes a planned reduction of 1,200 positions at the CIA over several years.

The NSA and other agencies are also expected to see major staffing cuts, officials said.

Some of the reductions at the CIA have already begun, with several hundred employees opting for early retirement.

The remaining workforce decrease is expected to come through reduced hiring, minimizing the need for layoffs.

In a statement, the CIA said Director John Ratcliffe is working to align the agency more closely with President Trump’s national security agenda.

“These 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,” the agency stated.

A spokesperson for Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Gabbard’s office is responsible for coordinating the activities of 18 intelligence agencies across the government.

The CIA and NSA have already offered voluntary resignations to some employees.

The CIA also confirmed that an unspecified number of recently hired staff members will be laid off.

The administration has also ended diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs within the intelligence community.

However, a judge has temporarily blocked the termination of 19 DEI employees who are challenging their dismissals in court.

Trump also abruptly dismissed the general who headed both the NSA and US Cyber Command at the Pentagon.

Ratcliffe has pledged to reform the CIA and emphasized his desire to strengthen the agency’s human intelligence capabilities and sharpen its focus on China.

Previously considered one of the most conservative members of Congress, Ratcliffe served on the House Intelligence Committee before joining Trump’s first administration.