The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is alleged to have started laying off some employees hired in the last 2 years. These individuals are said to be “probationary” officers. It was reported that there were fewer layoffs in areas working on China and Mexico cartels.

According to The New York Times (NYT), some officers hired in the last 2 years were called to a location outside the CIA headquarters to surrender their identities. A spokesperson for the CIA confirmed the layoffs, while sources familiar with the matter told the NYT that these individuals were “probationary” officers. Sources indicated that not all recently hired employees would be terminated.

REASONS FOR TERMINATION UNKNOWN The reasons for why CIA officers were called in and why they were laid off are unknown, causing concern among staff at the agency. A spokesperson for the organization pointed out that the performance of personnel hired in the last 2 years is being evaluated, while sources from the NYT highlighted that fewer layoffs were happening in areas related to China and Mexico cartels. Furthermore, former CIA officials warned that the removal of newly hired officers could create gaps and harm efforts in intelligence gathering and analyzing various areas.

EFFORTS TO SHRINK THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT It had been alleged that the new U.S. government’s efforts to “shrink the federal government” included CIA personnel. Reportedly, the CIA offered all employees a proposal for “layoffs” in which they could receive their benefits. It was claimed that the compensation offer presented by the Trump administration for all federal employees to leave their positions by February 6th had been accepted by 20,000 personnel.