The White House administration is reportedly planning to reduce the number of employees at the CIA and other intelligence agencies.
The cuts will also hit the National Security Agency, Trump administration officials told members of Congress, according to The Washington Post on Friday.
A source familiar with the plans but not authorized to share the information publicly confirmed the changes to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
The administration plans to cut the CIA's workforce by 1,200 over the next few years and reduce positions at the NSA and other intelligence agencies by thousands.
The Post reported that the CIA's cuts would include several hundred employees who have already decided to take early retirement. The rest of the reductions would be achieved partly by slowing the pace of hiring and are unlikely to require layoffs.
In response to requests for cuts, the CIA released a statement saying CIA Director John Ratcliffe is working to ensure the agency is aligned with President Trump's national security priorities.
“These measures are part of a comprehensive strategy to renew the agency, create opportunities for new leaders and improve its mission readiness,” the agency said.
A spokeswoman for Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the matter.
Ms. Gabbard's office oversees and coordinates the work of 18 agencies involved in collecting and analyzing intelligence information.
The CIA and NSA have already offered some employees voluntary resignation.
The CIA also announced plans to lay off an unspecified number of newly hired employees.
The new administration also shut down diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs at intelligence agencies, though a judge temporarily halted efforts to fire 19 DEI employees who were challenging their firings.
President Trump also abruptly fired the general who led the NSA and the Pentagon's Cyber Command.
Ratcliffe has promised to reform the CIA and said he intends to increase the use of intelligence from agents and focus on China.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
