The expansion of the so-called federal buy-out to the CIA shows that the attempts to drastically cut the federal workforce will not take into account even national security considerations. Combined with the sharing of the names of recent hires with the White House outside of classified channels is reckless and dangerous – both to national security and the employees themselves. Whistleblower Aid’s Chief Legal Counsel Andrew Bakaj issued the following statement:

“Offering the so-called buyout to CIA employees shows a staggering disregard for the broader national security mission. It signals a dangerous politicization of the most sensitive parts of our government, and will result in a loss of vital and hard-earned expertise, knowledge, relationships and capabilities. Sharing the names of recently-hired agents outside of classified systems only underscores the extent to which the Trump administration is willing to sell out national security and the hardworking men and women of the CIA. It also sends a chilling message to those who remain that the political agenda, retribution and loyalty are all that matters now – not providing unbiased, expert assessments of global threats. Viewed in tandem with similarly disruptive moves at DOJ, FBI and the inspectors general, we are seeing the greatest act of self-harm by our government in our lifetimes. Our adversaries abroad are celebrating these purges.”