The administration of United States President Donald Trump is preparing to downsize several major U.S. intelligence agencies, including the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the National Security Agency (NSA), according to sources cited by the Washington Post. The reported plan aims to reduce the CIA’s workforce by approximately 1,200 employees and cut several thousand positions at other agencies.

The downsizing is expected to unfold gradually over the course of several years. Rather than executing layoffs, the administration intends to implement the reduction through limited new hiring. Nonetheless, 500 employees have already applied for early retirement as part of the plan.

In a memo to CIA personnel, Director John Ratcliffe acknowledged the strategic shift, stating: “The years of growing budgets and resources are behind us. Moving forward, you will be part of a smaller, more elite and efficient workforce.” The Trump administration appears focused on streamlining operations and enhancing effectiveness within the intelligence community through these staffing changes.

However, the proposed cuts have drawn strong criticism from lawmakers. Senator Mark Warner of Virginia condemned the decision, describing it as “sweeping” and “reckless.” He warned that reducing experienced intelligence personnel could significantly undermine the nation’s ability to detect and respond to threats, ultimately making the country less safe.

The administration has not publicly confirmed all specifics of the plan. Still, the reported restructuring reflects a broader effort to reshape the scope and direction of U.S. intelligence agencies under President Trump’s leadership, emphasizing efficiency and cost control amid evolving national security challenges.