The United States Central Intelligence Agency has offered voluntary buyouts to its entire workforce, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal on Tuesday.
This development makes the CIA the first intelligence agency to participate in the voluntary redundancy program for federal employees, introduced during former President Donald Trump’s administration.
Alongside the buyout offer, the CIA is freezing the hiring process for job candidates who had already received conditional offers.
Under the program, federal employees are given the option to resign in exchange for roughly eight months’ worth of pay and benefits.
Historically, national security roles were excluded from this initiative—likely due to their critical importance—until the announcement on Tuesday.
However, some offers may be withdrawn if the applicants fail to meet updated goals set by the agency.
These goals emphasize efforts such as targeting drug cartels, addressing Trump’s trade policies, and countering China’s influence, an aide to CIA Director John Ratcliffe told the Wall Street Journal, speaking anonymously.
A CIA spokesperson, quoted by CNN, stated that the decision is part of Ratcliffe’s strategy to “ensure the CIA workforce is responsive to the Administration’s national security priorities, part of a holistic strategy to infuse the Agency with renewed energy.”
This initiative aligns with Trump’s broader government overhaul aimed at improving efficiency and reducing federal costs.
The news of the CIA’s buyout program emerged just hours after Trump proposed a plan for the U.S. to “take over the Gaza Strip.”
