The CIA has recently sent an unclassified email to the White House containing a list of all new hires who have been with the agency for two years or less. This move comes as part of an effort to comply with an executive order aimed at downsizing the federal workforce. The email, according to sources familiar with the matter, includes first names and last initials of the new hires, ranging from analysts to trainees preparing for undercover operations.
While the decision to provide only partial names was seen as the 'least bad option' by career officials trying to adhere to President Trump's order while protecting officer identities, concerns have been raised about the potential risks involved. Some of the new employees have uncommon first names, making it easier for foreign government hackers to match them with publicly available data and potentially identify them.
Although these new hires are not likely to have been deployed overseas undercover yet, the exposure of their identities could pose significant risks. The CIA may now be hesitant to send them to dangerous postings out of fear of premature identification. This situation could potentially derail the careers of these young officers before they even begin, as reported by sources familiar with the matter.
The New York Times was the first to report on the contents of the email, prompting criticism from top Democrats who have raised concerns about national security risks. House Intelligence Committee ranking member Jim Himes emphasized the importance of protecting the identities of CIA employees for their safety and the success of their missions.
In a separate move to reduce the federal workforce, the CIA recently offered buyouts to its employees, becoming the first major national security agency to do so. A CIA spokesperson stated that this initiative is part of a broader strategy to revitalize the Agency and bring in new energy.
