The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has become the first major national security agency to implement a so-called “buyout” program for all of its employees. This decision was made within the framework of Donald Trump’s initiative to reduce the staff of the federal government. About this informs CNN.
The proposed program would allow federal employees to voluntarily resign and be paid about eight months’ salary, plus benefits.
Previously, this opportunity almost did not apply to positions related to national security, as their work was considered critical to the state. However, the new CIA director, John Ratcliffe, decided that his agency should also join the general reduction of the federal staff.
An agency spokesman said the move is part of Ratcliffe’s strategy to bring the CIA’s workforce in line with the administration’s national security priorities. He also emphasized that this is “an element of a broader strategy aimed at renewing the agency and filling it with new energy.”
It will be recalled that previously Trump and his supporters have repeatedly claimed that some CIA employees are part of the so-called “deep state”, which allegedly seeks to undermine his interests. Some critics have called this initiative a “delayed resignation” or even a “purge.” Official representatives of the Trump administration rejected such accusations.
