The CIA used unclassified email to share a list of employees hired within the last two years to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).
The agency sent a list of first names and last initials of employees still on probation — a status that makes them easier to dismiss as the CIA pushes ahead with plans to shrink its workforce.
The nature of the communication risks compromising the identifies of the agents — sparking immediate condemnation by intelligence leaders.
“I am very concerned that the CIA shared identifying details about its officers on an unclassified system. Those details are secret for a reason — because protecting the identities of CIA employees is critical to their safety and mission, a mission that helps keep Americans safe every day,” said Rep. Jim Himes (Conn.), the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee.
“From what I have learned, the CIA should not have transmitted these names in this fashion, nor should the White House have insisted on such a clearly irresponsible approach, one that could genuinely put people in danger. I am also deeply concerned by the backdrop of this request, which appears to be an interest in firing provisional employees en masse.”
The White House and the CIA did not respond to request for comment.
According to The New York Times, some of the CIA’s newest agents were hired to focus on China, making their identities a top target of the Chinese Communist Party.
“Exposing the identities of officials who do extremely sensitive work would put a direct target on their backs for China. A disastrous national security development,” said Sen. Mark Warner (Va.), the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee.
The CIA is also participating in a government buyout that was not initially made available to its employees, as those working on national security were initially exempted from the offer.
It’s unclear how broadly they are being offered, as certain high-priority positions will still be exempt.
“Director [John] Ratcliffe is moving swiftly to ensure the CIA workforce is responsive to the Administration’s national security priorities. These moves are part of a holistic strategy to infuse the Agency with renewed energy, provide opportunities for rising leaders to emerge, and better position the CIA to deliver on its mission,” a spokesperson for the CIA said in an earlier statement about the buyout offers.
