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3mo ago

Federal Judge Permits CIA to Fire Officers from Diversity Programs

The court ruled that intelligence directors have broad authority to terminate personnel, allowing the dismissal of staff assigned to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives under a Trump administration directive.

The seal of the Central Intelligence Agency is shown at the entrance of the CIA headquarters in McLean, Virginia, U.S., September 24, 2022. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/File Photo
John Ratcliffe swears in as CIA Director, in the Vice President’s Ceremonial Office in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House campus in Washington, U.S., January 23, 2025. REUTERS/Nathan Howard/File Photo
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Overview

  • U.S. District Judge Anthony Trenga declined to block the termination of 51 intelligence officers assigned to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) programs, citing statutory authority granted to intelligence directors.
  • The firings stem from a Trump administration directive ending DEIA programs across federal agencies, with CIA Director John Ratcliffe stating the dismissals serve the national interest.
  • Plaintiffs argued that the mass termination violated constitutional protections, including free speech and due process, and failed to weigh individual security risks as required by precedent.
  • The decision could lead to broader workforce reductions within the intelligence community as part of the administration's goal to scale back the federal government.
  • The judge suggested allowing affected officers to apply for other roles within the CIA, though no formal reassignment process has been implemented.