WP: Trump administration plans major downsizing of US intelligence agencies

The Trump administration is moving ahead with plans to significantly reduce personnel at major US intelligence agencies, including the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the National Security Agency (NSA).

According to sources familiar with the matter, quoted by The Washington Post, lawmakers were recently informed that roughly 1,200 positions would be cut from the CIA over several years, with thousands more slated for elimination across the broader intelligence community.

The CIA, which does not publicly disclose its workforce size but is estimated to employ around 22,000 people, will implement the reductions through decreased hiring and early retirements—more than 500 staff have already opted to leave. No mass firings are planned.

The downsizing, led by CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard, is part of a wider effort to realign intelligence priorities. Ratcliffe has pledged to redirect agency resources toward countering China and targeting cartels trafficking synthetic drugs. Gabbard, confirmed as DNI in February, said the Office of the Director of National Intelligence is now “25 per cent smaller and more lean” and has eliminated diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. At least 19 employees from the CIA and ODNI have sued to stop dismissals; a judge issued an injunction in March.

Intelligence officials said Gabbard is also reviewing ODNI’s intelligence centres for possible consolidation. Over 100 ODNI staff have accepted an early resignation package, while at the CIA, remaining reductions are expected to impact a broad range of departments.

The NSA, Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), and National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) are also facing cuts as part of the restructuring. Together, the proposed reductions represent a significant contraction of US intelligence capabilities during a time of ongoing global instability.

Critics, including Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, warned the cuts could undermine national security. Experts also raised counterintelligence concerns, noting that laid-off personnel could become targets for recruitment by foreign intelligence services. In March, US agencies reported that Russia and China had increased efforts to approach current and former US intelligence workers, often under the guise of job offers.

The National Counterintelligence and Security Centre recently warned of online recruitment tactics by foreign spies. Past breaches have proven costly—former CIA officer Kevin Mallory was convicted in 2018 for selling secrets to China after being contacted by a Chinese operative on LinkedIn while in debt.

While officials say the cuts could be managed to improve efficiency, particularly if they focus on underperformers, many intelligence professionals are considering private-sector moves. Former officials say they’ve been inundated with requests from CIA colleagues seeking help transitioning to civilian careers.

In a March 31 internal memo, Ratcliffe acknowledged the shift, writing, “For decades, CIA has known nothing but growth, but the years of growing budgets and resources are behind us. Moving forward, you will be part of a smaller, more elite and efficient workforce.”

Although billionaire Elon Musk met with Ratcliffe in March to discuss government efficiency, no teams from his so-called DOGE Service are operating within the CIA.

By Tamilla Hasanova