CIA sends 'buyout' offers to entire workforce

The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) on Tuesday (Wednesday, Australian Eastern Time) became the first major national security agency to offer a "buyout" program to all employees. According to a CIA spokesperson and other sources, this move is part of President Donald Trump's broader efforts to streamline the federal government and align it with his agenda.

This "buyout" program allows federal employees to resign and receive approximately eight months of salary and benefits. Previously, the program had not been open to most national security agencies due to concerns about critical national security functions. One source stated that CIA Director John Ratcliffe personally decided that the CIA should also participate.

The spokesperson stated that this move is part of Ratcliffe's efforts to "ensure that CIA employees are responsive to the national security priorities of this administration," adding that it is "part of an overall strategy to revitalize the agency." While the program has been sent to employees throughout the agency, it is currently unclear if all are eligible to accept it.

One source indicated that certain specific occupations and professional fields may be restricted, suggesting that the program's scope is far less extensive than those offered to civilian agencies not considered to be engaged in national security work. Another source said that Ratcliffe retained the flexibility to stagger the departure times of personnel in key areas.

The Wall Street Journal first reported on the CIA's broad "buyout" program. Trump and his allies have repeatedly claimed that CIA intelligence officers are part of a "deep state" determined to undermine him, and some critics have described this deferred departure program as a purge, allegations that Trump administration officials deny. Some national security officials in the Trump administration believe that in recent years, the CIA has placed too much emphasis on analysis at the expense of clandestine intelligence gathering and covert operations, which are the functions of the agency's smaller Directorate of Operations.

At his confirmation hearing, Ratcliffe vowed to reinvest in both areas. "For the brave CIA officers around the world who are listening, if all of this sounds like why you joined in the first place, then buckle up and get ready to make a difference," he said in his opening statement. "If not, then it's time to find a new job." This deferred departure program has caused a stir within the government.

This controversial program was announced to federal employees on January 28 via a mass email from the Office of Personnel Management, and unions have urged members not to accept it. The Trump administration is currently planning a large-scale reduction in the federal workforce soon, putting employees in the government who do not accept the deferred departure program at risk of unemployment. According to officials, these layoffs are internally referred to as a massive "reduction in force action" and are expected to begin soon after the deadline (Thursday) set by the Office of Personnel Management for workers to accept the departure program. The program allows them to leave voluntarily and be paid through September 30, but without having to continue working. It is currently unclear whether these terms apply to the program sent to CIA employees.