Jonathan Landay and Erin BancoWASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States government has broadened its scope by offering buyout packages to personnel from a minimum of four U.S. intelligence entities, in addition to the CIA. This move comes as President Donald Trump intensifies efforts to reduce the size of the federal workforce in the country. The Republican leader has enlisted the help of Elon Musk, the wealthiest individual globally, to spearhead this initiative. The development has caused concern among employees, triggered public demonstrations, and prompted Democrats to accuse the billionaire of spearheading a government takeover.
The additional agencies, whose staff members have been presented with buyout options, include the U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the National Security Agency, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, and the National Reconnaissance Office, according to spokespeople from these organizations. The exact number of individuals affected remains uncertain due to the classified nature of the figures, particularly in the case of the larger agencies. The three agencies that have disclosed data collectively employ around 19,500 personnel.
Late on Tuesday, the Central Intelligence Agency announced that its workforce had received buyout offers as part of an effort to realign the objectives of the nation’s premier intelligence service with those of its new director, John Ratcliffe. Last week, the White House extended a similar opportunity to 2 million civilian federal employees, allowing them to cease work temporarily and receive compensation and benefits until September 30. The details of the offers extended to intelligence officials are not immediately clear.
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence, home to fewer than 2,000 employees, was established post the September 11, 2001 attacks to oversee the 18 agencies constituting the U.S. intelligence community. As of late Wednesday, it remained uncertain whether the other 13 agencies were included in the initiative. Notably, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency fall under the auspices of the Department of Defense.
Some former intelligence officials have expressed worry that the agency risks losing seasoned staff members, which could potentially compromise intelligence gathering and analysis efforts. There are concerns, shared by certain Democratic lawmakers, that departing personnel might be replaced by individuals loyal to Trump, thereby influencing intelligence to align with his perspectives and policies. A former senior intelligence official, speaking anonymously due to the sensitive nature of the topic, voiced apprehension over colleagues not standing up to the situation, fearing that individuals lacking in the requisite expertise may take over critical roles.
President Trump’s relationship with U.S. intelligence agencies has been tumultuous, especially in light of reports on Russian interference in the 2016, 2020, and 2024 presidential elections to sway the results in his favor. During his Senate confirmation hearing on January 15, Ratcliffe pledged not to dismiss or push out CIA employees based on their political beliefs or opinions of Trump, who has frequently criticized the agency and its
