CIA Fires Officers Over Diversity Work

This photo provided by the FBI on Oct. 25, 2023 shows Brian Jeffrey Raymond, a former CIA officer. (FBI via AP)

The CIA has taken the unprecedented step of moving to fire more than a dozen officers for their involvement in diversity issues. This mass firing is considered highly unusual within the agency, as confirmed by court filings and current and former officials familiar with the situation.

According to a court filing, additional dismissals may be forthcoming, with agency officials currently working on recommendations for further cuts. The exact number of officers to be terminated has not been finalized.

Some of the fired officers are contesting their dismissal in court, arguing that it violated federal workforce laws. A federal judge in Virginia is expected to hold a hearing to consider a temporary restraining order against the terminations.

Some officers are contesting their dismissal in court.

The CIA is terminating officers for involvement in diversity issues.

The officers claim their activities were not illegal.

The officers claim that their activities were not illegal and that they were let go due to their perceived beliefs on a domestic political issue, without due process of law.

It was revealed that the officers were on temporary assignments related to diversity issues, which is a common practice for career development within the agency. Some of them were not even working on diversity matters at all.

Following an executive order issued by former President Trump on January 20, which called for an end to diversity, equity, and inclusion work across the government, the CIA initiated a review of 51 officers' roles. Last Friday, some of these officers were instructed to report to CIA or ODNI facilities, signaling their impending dismissal.

The CIA has yet to make a final decision on the fate of the remaining officers in the group of 51 under review. The agency stated that additional terminations may be necessary to comply with Trump's executive order.

In response to a request for a temporary restraining order, the government argued that it has the authority to terminate personnel within the CIA and ODNI at its discretion. It emphasized that granting a restraining order would be detrimental to the public interest and limit the CIA director's ability to make personnel decisions in the best interest of the United States.