The Trump administration is proceeding with a proposal to lower staffing at main US intelligence agencies, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the National Security Agency (NSA), based on a report by The Washington Post. The planned reforms, which were confirmed to the Associated Press by one knowledgeable person, are to take place over the course of a number of years and will focus on making intelligence operations match up with President Trump’s national security objectives.
The CIA is anticipated to experience a loss of around 1,200 staff, some of whom already have taken early retirement. Cuts at the CIA and NSA will continue in the form of reduced hiring, thus without having to conduct mass layoffs.
In a statement, the CIA highlighted that Director John Ratcliffe is executing a broader strategy to rejuvenate the agency, foster new leadership, and more effectively serve changing intelligence requirements. “These steps are part of a comprehensive approach to bring new energy into the Agency,” the statement stated.
Tulsi Gabbard’s Office of the Director of National Intelligence has not provided comments on the forthcoming downsizing. Gabbard is the chief who provides direction over 18 intelligence organizations for coordination.
Besides layoff cuts in staffing, the administration has cut down diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within the intel community. One court injunction over a legal action filed by 19 impacted staff, pending judgment, has been placed on its dismissal temporarily.
Stirring further controversy, Trump also suddenly ousted the general who headed the NSA and US Cyber Command.
Director Ratcliffe has indicated a strategic shift for the CIA stepping up its emphasis on China and fortifying its human intelligence (HUMINT) capabilities. These shifts represent a dramatic reorganization of the intelligence paradigm under Trump, with profound implications for future national security missions.
