CIA Offers Buyouts to Entire Workforce Amid Trump’s Push to Reshape Federal Government

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) on Tuesday became the first major national security agency to offer buyouts to its entire workforce, CNN reports.

The offer, confirmed by a CIA spokesperson and multiple sources familiar with the situation, allows employees to voluntarily resign and receive some eight months of pay and benefits.

This development comes as part of President Donald Trump’s broader effort to shrink the federal government and align it with his administration’s agenda. Previously, such offers were not extended to many national security roles, acknowledging the critical importance of these positions.

According to sources, CIA Director John Ratcliffe personally approved the CIA’s participation in the program. A CIA spokesperson stated that the move is intended to “ensure the CIA workforce is responsive to the Administration’s national security priorities” and is “part of a holistic strategy to infuse the Agency with renewed energy.”

While the offer has been extended across the agency, it remains uncertain whether all employees will be approved to take it. Sources indicate that certain occupations and areas of expertise are likely to be restricted, suggesting a less comprehensive rollout than seen in civil service agencies. Furthermore, Ratcliffe retains the authority to manage the timing of departures in critical areas to minimize disruption.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) had previously indicated that some officials at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) might be eligible for the program, but not all ODNI positions would be included. Sources noted that the CIA’s participation appears to be a recent decision, with employees having been advised as recently as last week that the agency was evaluating its eligibility. The Wall Street Journal first reported the widespread CIA offer.

This move raises questions about the long-term impact on the CIA’s capabilities and direction. Trump and his allies have previously accused intelligence officers at the CIA of being part of a “deep state” seeking to undermine his presidency. Critics have described the deferred resignation program as a purge, accusations that Trump administration officials deny.

Some national security officials close to Trump believe the CIA has become overly focused on analysis at the expense of clandestine intelligence gathering and covert operations, functions traditionally associated with the agency’s Directorate of Operations. Ratcliffe, during his confirmation hearing, pledged to reinvest in both areas.

The offer has sparked considerable controversy within the federal government. The OPM unveiled the program in a mass email to federal employees on January 28, prompting unions to urge their members to reject it.

Compounding the anxieties surrounding the buyouts, the Trump administration is reportedly planning widespread layoffs, referred to internally as “Reductions in Force,” to begin shortly after Thursday’s deadline for accepting the resignation package. This leaves federal employees who do not accept the buyout at risk of potential job loss.

The OPM’s initial offer allowed employees to leave voluntarily and be paid through September 30, without requiring further work.