The CIA Is About to Get a Trump Makeover
Spy agency’s workforce receives buyout-style offer
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https://www.wsj.com/politics/nation...bf?st=dAAkEf&reflink=mobilewebshare_permalink
“… The CIA appeared to be the first intelligence agency to tell its employees that they can quit their jobs and receive about eight months of pay and benefits as part of Trump’s push to downsize the federal government. The offer last month
made to most civilian federal agencies exempted some categories of federal workers, including those with national security roles.
… The agency is also freezing the hiring of job seekers already given a conditional offer, an aide to CIA Director John Ratcliffe said. Some are likely to be rescinded if the applicants don’t have the right background for the agency’s new goals, which also include
Trump’s trade war and undermining China, the aide said.
…
A CIA spokeswoman said the move was part of an effort to “infuse the agency with renewed energy.”
In his confirmation hearing, Ratcliffe promised to launch more hard-edge spying operations and covert action, naming drug cartels and China as key adversaries. “To the brave CIA officers listening around the world, if all of that sounds like what you signed up for, then buckle up and get ready to make a difference,” he told lawmakers last month. “If it doesn’t then it’s time to find a new line of work.”
Trump’s CIA will have a greater focus on the Western Hemisphere, targeting countries not traditionally considered adversaries of the U.S., the aide said.
For example, the CIA will use espionage to give Trump extra leverage in his trade negotiations, potentially spying on Mexico’s government amid the ongoing trade spat, the aide said.
The CIA will also take on a significant role fighting Mexican drug cartels, the aide said, which Trump designated as terror groups on his first day in office. …”
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