CNN reports that all CIA employees were offered the option to resign with a compensation package.

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has become the first major national security agency to offer a so-called "buyout" to all its employees. This decision is part of Donald Trump's initiative to reduce the size of the federal government.

This was reported by RBK-Ukraine citing CNN.

Until Tuesday, February 4, this offer, which allows federal employees to resign and receive approximately eight months' salary and benefits, was not available for most national security-related positions. A likely reason was the recognition of their critical role in national security.

However, as CNN sources note, new CIA Director John Ratcliffe decided to include his agency in the federal workforce reduction.

According to a spokesperson, this move is part of Ratcliffe's efforts to align CIA personnel with the national security priorities of the administration. Furthermore, he stated that this is "part of a comprehensive strategy aimed at infusing the Agency with new energy."

Nevertheless, even after the offer was sent to all agency employees, it was not immediately clear whether everyone would be allowed to accept it.

According to one source familiar with the offer, certain specific professions and areas of expertise are likely to be restricted. This suggests that the efforts will be much less extensive than in government agencies not dealing with national security issues.

Another source familiar with the matter indicated that Ratcliffe was also advised to maintain flexibility in determining the departure timing of officers in critical areas.

Last week, the Office of Personnel Management issued an internal directive stating that some officers from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence might participate in the program, but not all positions within the agency would necessarily be eligible.

The decision to include the CIA in the program seems to have been made recently: as of last week, agency employees were still being told that officials were trying to determine whether they could participate in the program.

Trump and his allies have repeatedly claimed that CIA intelligence personnel were part of a "deep state" that sought to undermine his interests, while some critics labeled the delayed resignation program as a "purge." Trump officials denied this characterization.

Reform of the CIA

Some national security officials within Trump's orbit believe that in recent years the CIA has become overly focused on analysis at the expense of covert intelligence gathering and secret operations—functions that are the responsibility of the agency's much smaller Directorate of Operations.

During his confirmation hearing, Ratcliffe promised to reinvest in both areas.

"Brave CIA officers listening around the world, if all this sounds like what you signed up for, then buckle up and get ready to make a change. If not, then it's time to find a new job," he said in his opening statement.

The U.S. Senate confirmed John Ratcliffe as CIA Director on January 24.

Reduction of Federal Agency Workforce

At the end of January, the Trump administration tasked federal agency heads with initiating the process of reducing staff in the Offices of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEI).

Subsequently, officials from other federal agencies received letters offering them the option to resign and receive compensation of salaries up until September of this year. Employees must make their decision by February 6.

However, most officials boycotted this offer from the new president, and unions deemed it illegal.

Approximately 2.4 million people work in the federal government of the United States, who fall under the so-called "buyout" or delayed resignation program.