The Central Intelligence Agency has proposed buyouts to its entire workforce as part of an effort to align with U.S. President Donald Trump's administration priorities, according to reports from USA Today, Reuters, and The Guardian. This move, which took place on Tuesday, also includes a freeze on hiring individuals who were previously given conditional offers, as part of a broader strategy intended to modernize the agency.

The reports indicate that some of the conditional job offers might be rescinded if candidates do not meet the new objectives set by the agency, which includes an emphasis on issues like targeting drug cartels and focusing efforts on China amidst Trump’s ongoing trade war. The motivation behind these buyouts is to ensure that the CIA workforce is responsive to the national security priorities established under Director John Ratcliffe, who was confirmed shortly after Trump’s reelection.

According to a CIA spokesperson, these steps are part of an initiative described as a "holistic strategy" to bring renewed energy to the agency. There remains uncertainty about who will be eligible for the buyouts or what specific areas might face restrictions, underscoring the transformative nature of this proposal. The CIA, which does not disclose its employment numbers, has not provided additional comments regarding this initiative.

This move aligns with a larger trend seen in the Trump administration, which has included the downsizing of federal bureaucracy and the hiring of more loyalists in senior positions. Recent reports from the White House suggest that over 2 million federal workers were offered the chance to leave with pay and benefits through September 30 as part of Trump's effort to streamline government operations.

Labor unions representing federal employees have already filed lawsuits to challenge this ongoing strategy. Ratcliffe's direction also indicates an anticipated shift in focus towards the Western Hemisphere, targeting countries traditionally viewed as non-adversaries, reflecting a significant new approach in U.S. intelligence operations.

The backdrop of these developments is the controversial Project 2025, which promotes significant personnel changes within federal agencies, including staffing federal positions with political appointees rather than career civil servants.

For more details, you can read the full articles on USA Today, Reuters, and The Guardian.