Trump and Musk Layoffs of Federal Workers Heighten Espionage Risk

Thousands of laid-off federal employees are being targeted by foreign adversaries exploiting insider knowledge through online platforms and deceptive tactics.

• Mass layoffs under Trump and Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have displaced thousands of federal employees, raising national security concerns.
• Foreign adversaries like Russia and China are using online platforms, including LinkedIn, to identify and recruit former federal workers with sensitive knowledge.
• Experts warn that non-intelligence federal employees, such as those in agencies like the IRS, are increasingly vulnerable to exploitation due to their access to critical information.
• Fake job offers and consulting roles are being used as tools by foreign agents to extract information from former government employees, sometimes without their knowledge.
• The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) is investigating leaks but has not prioritized counterespionage risks linked to these layoffs.

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Hindustan Times Newsweek