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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.

President Donald Trump and White House Senior Advisor, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk shake hands while attending the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championship on March 22, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
US President Donald Trump speaks next to Elon Musk and X Æ A-12, Musk's son, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington.

Overview

  • 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.