The CIA sent the White House an unclassified email listing employees hired in the past two years as part of an effort to shrink the federal workforce, raising security concerns among former officials who say the move could expose operatives to foreign adversaries, The New York Times reported.
The list, which included first names and the first initial of last names, identified probationary employees who could be dismissed more easily under the White House’s workforce reduction directive.
Many of those named were young analysts and operatives hired to expand the agency’s intelligence operations on China, an area of increasing focus for U.S. espionage efforts.
While agency officials defended the move as a necessary step to comply with an executive order signed by President Donald Trump, critics argue the information, even in a limited form, could be used to identify and target intelligence officers.
One former agency officer called the disclosure a “counterintelligence disaster,” warning that adversaries could cross-reference the information with other publicly available data, such as social media and university records, to identify CIA personnel.
The number of officers on the list remains classified, but officials acknowledge it could be significant.
The CIA had one of its most successful recruiting efforts in 2024, reminiscent of post-Sept. 11 hiring surges. Under the previous director, William J. Burns, the agency prioritized hiring officers with specialized skills, including Mandarin speakers and technology experts, to strengthen its operations in China.
John Ratcliffe, the CIA’s current director, has emphasized the agency’s focus on China and oversees broader workforce reductions. Former officials worry that eliminating recent hires could disproportionately affect those with critical language and technological expertise.
The White House’s review of probationary employees is part of a broader effort to restructure the federal workforce. As part of that initiative, the CIA has offered “deferred resignation,” an option allowing employees to resign by Sept. 30 while continuing to receive pay, a move mirroring a broader government policy promoted by Elon Musk’s team working on federal efficiency measures.
While national security agencies were initially given exemptions from the workforce reduction efforts, Ratcliffe advocated for extending the policy to CIA personnel. The agency retains some control over departure timelines to maintain critical operational capabilities.
“This initiative is about ensuring the CIA remains responsive to national security priorities while creating opportunities for new leadership,” a spokeswoman said.
Despite reassurances, the decision to send employee names to the White House has raised alarms among former intelligence officials. They argue that even partial identifiers could be used by foreign intelligence services seeking to undermine U.S. espionage operations.
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