According to a CIA spokesperson and two other people familiar with the offer, the Central Intelligence Agency became the first significant national security agency to offer so-called buyouts to its entire workforce on Tuesday. This move was made as part of President Donald Trump's larger initiative to reduce the size of the federal government and mold it to suit his goals.
Up until Tuesday, the offer, which informs government employees that they can resign and earn about eight months' worth of pay and benefits, had not been extended to the majority of national security roles, seemingly in recognition of their vital role in ensuring national security.
According to one of the individuals, CIA Director John Ratcliffe personally made the decision that he wanted the CIA to be involved as well.
According to the spokesman, the action is "part of a holistic strategy to infuse the Agency with renewed energy" and is part of Ratcliffe's efforts to "ensure the CIA workforce is responsive to the Administration's national security priorities."
Although the offer was distributed to all agency employees, it was not immediately apparent if everyone would be eligible to accept it. The attempt is significantly less comprehensive than in civil service organizations that are not thought to be undertaking national security work, according to one of the persons aware with the offer, who also stated that certain specific jobs and areas of expertise appear likely to be restricted. According to another source with knowledge of the situation, Ratcliffe must also maintain flexibility in order to resolve the timing of officer departures in crucial locations.
According to two additional sources familiar with the communications, the Office of Personnel Management had last week issued internal guidance indicating that while not all positions at the ODNI will necessarily be eligible, some officers at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence may be able to participate in the program.
The CIA's inclusion in the program seems to have been decided recently: According to one of those people, the CIA staff was still being informed as of last week that officials were attempting to ascertain their eligibility for the program.
The Wall Street Journal was the first to report on the extensive CIA offer.
At various moments, Trump and his supporters have asserted that CIA intelligence professionals have been a part of a "deep state" that is out to get him. Trump officials have refuted accusations that the deferred resignation program is a purge.
According to some national security officials close to Trump, the CIA has shifted too much in recent years toward analysis at the expense of conducting covert operations and gathering intelligence covertly, which are the purview of the agency's much smaller Directorate of Operations.
Ratcliffe promised to reinvest in both during his confirmation hearing.
In his opening remarks, he stated, "To the courageous CIA officers listening around the world, if all of this sounds like what you signed up for, then buckle up and get ready to make a difference." "If not, it's time to pursue a different career path."
The government is in a frenzy over the deferred resignation scheme. On January 28, the OPM sent a mass email to federal employees outlining the contentious offer, which unions have urged members not to accept.
Employees across the government who decline the offer of deferred resignation could lose their jobs as the Trump administration plans to shortly implement widespread layoffs.
According to authorities, the layoffs, which are being informally referred to as sweeping "Reductions in Force," are anticipated to start shortly after the Office of Personnel Management's deadline of Thursday for employees to take the resignation package.
The deal permits people to leave on their own volition, get payment through September 30, and not be required to stay on the job. It was unclear if the offer made to the CIA employees was subject to the same conditions.