Big shake-up at the CIA! On Tuesday, the agency made a stunning move, offering buyouts to its entire workforce. This massive offer, first reported by the Wall Street Journal, follows President Trump’s aggressive push to downsize government agencies.
Mass exit strategy?
The deal on the table is tempting: about eight months’ worth of pay and benefits for employees who voluntarily resign. Just last month, the same buyout was made available to over 2 million civilian federal workers—excluding national security roles. But now, even the CIA is on board.
Deadline pressure!
Government employees have until Thursday at 11:59 p.m. to decide. The Office of Personnel Management made it clear—there will be no extensions. However, it remains uncertain if CIA workers are held to the same deadline. Will they take the offer, or will they stay and fight for their positions?
Hiring freeze & job scrutiny
At the same time, the CIA is hitting pause on hiring. The agency is reviewing conditional job offers, making sure they fit with new intelligence priorities. The focus? Combatting drug cartels and countering China. This shift comes straight from the office of the new CIA Director, John Ratcliffe.
Spy games: Mexico in the crosshairs?
The agency is shifting its focus to the Western Hemisphere. It’s now targeting nations not traditionally seen as U.S. adversaries. Insiders suggest Trump could use CIA espionage to gain leverage in trade negotiations with Mexico. The agency might also send operatives to battle powerful Mexican drug cartels. Bold moves ahead!
Ratcliffe’s vision: a tougher CIA
Ratcliffe, 59, personally requested the White House extend the buyout package to CIA employees. His goal? A more aggressive, action-ready agency.
A CIA spokesperson confirmed the plan, calling it a strategy to bring “renewed energy” into the agency. “Director Ratcliffe is moving swiftly to ensure the CIA workforce aligns with the administration’s national security priorities,” the spokesperson told The Post.
This restructuring is aimed at injecting fresh leadership, boosting efficiency, and making sure the CIA is fully prepared to meet its mission head-on.
Will other intelligence agencies follow suit? The U.S. has 18 intelligence services, but there’s no word yet on whether they’ll offer similar buyouts.
