Trump Admin Plans to Cut CIA Workforce and Other US Intel Agencies

The Trump administration is moving forward with plans to reduce the workforce at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and other major U.S. intelligence agencies, including the National Security Agency (NSA), according to officials briefed on the matter.

Sources familiar with the proposal stated the administration plans to reduce the CIA’s workforce by approximately 1,200 employees over the coming years.

Additional cuts are expected at the NSA and other intelligence agencies, amounting to thousands of positions overall.

The details of the reduction were shared with members of Congress, The Washington Post reported on Friday.

The information was later confirmed by a person who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity due to a lack of authorization to speak publicly.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe is overseeing the changes, which include several hundred early retirements that have already taken place within the agency, per the New York Post.

The reductions are being described as gradual and will primarily be achieved through a decrease in hiring rather than widespread layoffs.

A CIA statement explained that Director Ratcliffe is aligning the agency’s operations with President Donald Trump’s national security objectives.

The agency characterized the changes as part of a broader effort to strengthen its performance and mission effectiveness.

“These moves are part of a holistic strategy to infuse the Agency with renewed energy, provide opportunities for rising leaders to emerge, and better position CIA to deliver on its mission,” the CIA stated.

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence, led by Tulsi Gabbard, did not respond immediately to requests for comment regarding the planned workforce reductions. Gabbard’s office is responsible for overseeing 18 intelligence-related agencies across the federal government.

President Trump was seen attending commencement ceremonies at the University of Alabama on May 1, while his administration continued reshaping the intelligence community. The changes follow ongoing efforts by the White House to refocus national security priorities.

Director Gabbard participated in a Cabinet meeting at the White House on April 10, where intelligence matters were discussed, though no specific staffing decisions were publicly disclosed at that time.

In preparation for the cuts, both the CIA and NSA have already offered voluntary resignation packages to selected employees. The CIA also plans to release an unspecified number of recently hired personnel as part of the reorganization.

Additionally, the administration has removed diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs from intelligence agencies. A legal challenge has delayed the termination of 19 employees involved in DEI work, as a judge temporarily blocked their firings.

The CIA seal remains visible at the agency’s headquarters in Langley, Virginia, as the agency continues transitioning under new leadership. The administration maintains the changes are intended to improve intelligence operations and efficiency.

President Trump’s recent moves also include the abrupt dismissal of the general overseeing both the NSA and the Pentagon’s Cyber Command, signaling a broader reshaping of the intelligence leadership structure.

CIA Director Ratcliffe has emphasized a renewed focus on intelligence gathered from human sources. He has also identified China as a top area of interest for future intelligence efforts under the new administration.

The workforce reduction marks one of the most significant restructurings of U.S. intelligence services in years. The full impact on agency operations remains to be seen as implementation proceeds.

Agency officials have not provided a specific timeline for when all planned staffing changes will be completed. However, the process is expected to unfold gradually over several years.

The Trump administration has stated its intention to modernize and refocus the intelligence community to meet what it describes as evolving global threats.

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