As a result of these actions, 19 employees from the CIA and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence have filed a lawsuit, resulting in a temporary federal court order halting the layoffs.

This initiative is part of a broader strategy to rejuvenate the agency's operations and enhance its effectiveness.

The administration has also eliminated diversity, equity, and inclusion programs at intelligence agencies, which has led to staff dismissals and legal challenges from affected employees.

The Trump administration plans to implement significant personnel cuts at the CIA and other U.S. intelligence agencies, aiming to reduce the CIA workforce by approximately 1,200 employees over several years.

Director Ratcliffe has stated that these reductions are intended to make the CIA more responsive to national security priorities and to create leadership opportunities within the agency.

Reports suggest that the planned cuts will not involve immediate layoffs, as the government has communicated a gradual implementation strategy to Congress.

Since taking office in January 2025, President Trump has worked with Tesla CEO Elon Musk to implement significant budget cuts across federal agencies, resulting in a substantial reduction of the federal workforce.

The White House has released a draft budget for Trump's second term, which emphasizes reducing programs that do not align with his ultraconservative agenda while maintaining military and security spending.

In a notable leadership shift, President Trump recently dismissed the general overseeing the NSA and the Pentagon's Cyber Command, indicating a broader restructuring within these intelligence agencies.

Critics warn that these cuts could undermine national security, as former employees may become vulnerable to recruitment by foreign adversaries, particularly from China and Russia.

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has indicated that her agency is now 25% smaller since her confirmation, reflecting the ongoing staffing reductions.

While the CIA's total workforce is estimated to be around 22,000, the specific areas affected by these cuts remain unclear.