Russia and China Target Recently Fired U.S. Federal Employees for Recruitment
Intelligence reports reveal foreign adversaries are exploiting layoffs in the federal workforce to recruit disillusioned employees with security clearances.
- U.S. intelligence sources report that Russia and China are actively recruiting former federal employees recently fired under the Trump administration's workforce reduction efforts.
- The recruitment efforts focus on individuals with security clearances or institutional knowledge, particularly those feeling vulnerable or bitter about their dismissals.
- Foreign adversaries are leveraging platforms like LinkedIn and creating targeted recruitment websites to attract these employees.
- Experts warn that the layoffs may unintentionally create a fertile environment for leaking sensitive U.S. government information to foreign intelligence services.
- Officials have raised concerns about the potential national security risks posed by disgruntled former employees sharing critical infrastructure and bureaucratic knowledge.