Within the framework of the implementation of the Plan to reduce the size of the United States government, key intelligence agencies have given most employees the opportunity to leave, offering them the opportunity to benefit from deferred resignation.
Key intelligence agencies in the United States have given most of their employees the opportunity to leave, offering them the opportunity to benefit from the deferred resignation option extended to the Civil Labor Force of the Government.
Within the framework of the initial implementation of the Plan, whose objective was to drastically reduce the size of the United States government, military and security employees were exempt, due to the critical nature of their work in the protection of the United States.
But in recent days, at least five intelligence agencies in the United States have ruled, telling their workers that they can choose to accept the so -called “fork in the road”, which allows them to receive their salary until September without having to have to Work daily.
The list includes the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the country's main espionage agency, and the Office of the National Intelligence Director, which is responsible for supervising the 18 intelligence agencies of the United States.
The National Security Agency, which specializes in the collection of electronic intelligence, the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency and the National Recognition Office also confirmed to the VOA their participation in the personnel reduction program.
A CIA spokesman, who spoke on condition of anonymity to be able to talk about the initiative, said she was promoted by the newly confirmed director of the agency, John Ratcliffe, to better respond to the priorities of President Donald Trump.
“These movements are part of a holistic strategy to infuse the agency a renewed energy, provide opportunities for rising leaders to arise and better position the CIA to fulfill its mission,” said the spokesman in a statement.
The other intelligence agencies that participate in the Deferred Resignation Program refused to explain why workers who initially considered critical for the national security of the United States are now considered expendable. Nor did they answer the questions about the impact that possible resignations could have on their missions.
The White House National Security Council sent the questions about the decision to make intelligence agencies eligible for the program and the potential impact on the United States Administration and Budget Office. The OMB has not yet responded to multiple requests for comments.
However, the measure has generated concern among some former intelligence officers and experts who fear that possible reductions can hinder the ability of US intelligence agencies to obtain information and knowledge that are vital for the security of the US territory.
Daniel Byman, director of the war program, irregular threats and terrorism of the Center for Strategic and International Studies based in Washington, said the impact on the CIA could be significant.
“If many employees take the option, there is a risk of reducing the tremendous experience that the CIA has accumulated in a variety of areas,” he told VOA.
“Years are needed to develop operational and analytical experience to be a good intelligence officer, and lose this would be a significant blow to the abilities of the United States for a turbulent moment in the world,” said Byman, pointing out that employment cuts proposed in the FBI could promote the adversaries of the United States that “try to exploit the security vulnerabilities of the United States and influence US public discourse.”
High -ranking Democratic legislators, such as the vice president of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Mark Warner, have also expressed concerns, noting that even Trump's freezing contracting exempted national security jobs.
Others describe the pressure to ensure that American intelligence officials renounce as “madness.”
“I think it is a great way to send some of our best talents to pack,” said Representative Raja Krishnamorthi, the greatest rank member of the Select Committee of the House of Representatives about the Chinese Communist Party.
“It's a way to help our adversaries,” Krishnamorthi said to VOA. “I hope you reconsider this crazy human resources decision and instead try to attract the best and most brilliant members of the intelligence community, because we need them.”
But Republican senator Thom Tillis described those fears of “exaggerated.”
“Actually, if people think that special operators and clandestine operators will suddenly take control, do not understand what they are trying to happen here,” he told VOA. “What they are trying to do is probably get less from the central office and less than administrative positions, to be able to put more in the field.”
“The press is opting for the worst possible scenario,” Tillis added. “Most of these people are at the end of their career anyway, and that is why acquisitions are being made to be able to bring new people and adjust the size.”
Other former officials see a positive side in the inclusion of US intelligence agencies in the Deferred Resignation Program, and present it as a clear message to the adversaries of the United States to be careful.
“What this tells a country like Russia, China or others is that Trump is a very strong leader,” said former United States ambassador to NATO, Kurt Volker.
“This is something they did not see with President (Joe) Biden, who is a weak leader in his eyes,” Volker told VOA. “In Trump, come to someone who is willing to go further. He is willing to break the dishes. He is willing to climb. He is willing to do what he wants to get his will to be fulfilled. That sends a very strong message to the adversaries. ”
The numerical impact of the Deferred Resignation Program on the United States Intelligence Agencies is still clear.
American officials say that until now, 65,000 of the approximately 2 million government employees have chosen to accept the offer, although the number of employees of the intelligence agency is classified. It is unlikely that individual agencies disseminate the data.
The original deadline for government employees, including those of intelligence agencies, would accept the deferred resignation offer was Thursday, but a court order delayed it at least until Monday.