The decision to include the CIA in the buyout programme appears to have been made recently
In a significant move, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has reportedly become the first major national security agency to extend buyout offers to its entire workforce. According to a CIA spokesperson and sources cited in a CNN report, this initiative is part of former US President Donald Trump’s broader efforts to downsize the federal government and align it with his administration’s priorities.
The buyout programme allows eligible federal employees to voluntarily resign in exchange for approximately eight months of pay and benefits. Traditionally, such offers have not been extended to national security personnel due to the critical nature of their roles. However, CIA Director John Ratcliffe has decided to implement the initiative, which he describes as part of a “holistic strategy to infuse the Agency with renewed energy” and ensure the workforce aligns with national security objectives.
Despite the offer being available to all CIA employees, it remains uncertain whether all positions will qualify for participation. Given the agency’s specialised functions, certain key roles and areas of expertise are expected to be exempt. Sources indicate that the CIA’s version of the buyout programme is more restricted compared to other federal civil service agencies, which do not deal with national security. Additionally, Ratcliffe holds the authority to determine the timing of departures in critical operational areas.
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) issued guidance last week suggesting that some employees at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) might also be eligible for the programme. However, not all positions will qualify, according to sources familiar with the matter.
The decision to include the CIA in the buyout programme appears to have been made recently. As of last week, CIA employees were still being informed that their eligibility was under review, according to another source cited in the CNN report. The Wall Street Journal was the first to report on the agency-wide buyout offer.
The move comes amid growing tensions between Trump and the intelligence community. Trump and his allies have previously accused CIA officers of being part of a so-called “deep state” working against his presidency. Some national security officials aligned with Trump have criticised the CIA for prioritising intelligence analysis over clandestine operations and covert missions—key functions of the agency’s Directorate of Operations.
“To the brave CIA officers listening all around the world, if all of this sounds like what you signed up for, then buckle up and get ready to make a difference,” Ratcliffe stated in his opening remarks. “If it doesn’t, then it’s time to find a new line of work.”
The buyout programme has sparked controversy across the federal government. Unions have urged members not to accept the offer, which was communicated through a mass email from the OPM to federal employees on 28 January.
The Trump administration is reportedly preparing for broader layoffs across the federal workforce. Employees who choose not to accept the voluntary buyout could face job losses under upcoming “Reductions in Force,” expected to begin shortly after the OPM’s 6 February deadline for accepting the package.