CISA staffers offered deferred resignations with just hours to decide : NPR

The Department of Homeland Security’s CyberScript and Infrastructure Security Agency, or CISA employees, were initially excluded from the offer of broader government because of their role in national security and their role in important infrastructure.

However, on Wednesday, some CISA staff were offered for hours and only for hours to accept it or not, according to three sources, who spoke to the NPR on condition of anonymity. ۔

This is the latest step in the Trump administration’s broader efforts to shrink the federal government.

“Team lead, I am writing to provide a update that is CISA employees May Berjit Ben wrote, “The CISA was identified in an email shown to the NPR as a director’s duties.” This is a deep personal decision. , And whatever decisions we make, we support you. “

Ben also wrote that the offer ended on Thursday, February 6, 2025, before midnight. It is unclear whether the offer is legally bound or whether the Congress will provide appropriate funds for its payment after March.

After the acquisition of a social media company by Tesla and Space X CEO Elon Musk, the “Fork in the Road” program is facing two employees at the moment, now President Trump’s government’s advisory team, or the government’s performance. Demonstrate.

The Dodge staff is entering federal agencies from the finance department last week, demanding access to sensitive files and systems, and pointing to widespread protests and legal challenges.

Government cybersecurity employees are often afraid of young, inexperienced dodge staff at the unprecedented access level. This access is reportedly spread to the Department of Treasury Payment System, as well as a controlled access system to pay sensitive aid to agencies like the US Agency for International Development, a high to end or end the Trump administration. There is goals.

Now, the ranks of cybersecurity experts within the federal government can be thin.

In an email to the NPR, a CISA spokesman wrote, “At this time, CISA employees can be considered for a resignation program in postponement.” “CISA is determined to ensure the continuity of our mission, while through this process support our workforce.”

The CISA was established in 2018 during Trump’s first administration. At that time, President Trump described the legislation that made the agency as “important”.

“Every day, opponents of the United States are testing our cyber defense,” He said. “They strive to access our critical infrastructure, exploit our great companies, and to disturb our entire lifestyle. And we can’t let that happen.”

In 2020, the CISA created a website called “Rumors Control” for unintentional information on electoral security during the 2020 US presidential election. Although the agency concluded that there was no evidence of the election tampering, the Trump administration claimed otherwise, and then removed CISA director Chris Curbs.

After President Trump was inaugurated for his second -term employment in January, the White House worked fast to remove all members of the DHS Advisory Board, including the CISA CyberScureti Advisory Committee and Cyber ​​Safety Review Boards include, which conducts reviews of major violations. President Trump’s choice to lead the DHS, Christie Noim, vowed to shrink the agency and return it to his mission to protect it important infrastructure.

Nevertheless, Republican lawmakers and Trump officials have eliminated their criticisms on the CISA in recent weeks.

The CISA was an important part of discovering and responding to a wider espionage campaign, which was targeted by the Chinese state -sponsored hackers under the name “Salt Typhone”. These hackers stole the phone record from US telecommunication, including President Trump and his then vice president, JD Venice.

Experts concluded that the CISA may be protected from Trump’s broader efforts to eliminate federal agencies, change staff or eliminate programs.

Now, this result is in question.

CISA is not the only agency that can lose experienced experts in fighting national state hackers, defending critical infrastructure and collecting digital intelligence.

Earlier this week, the Director of National Intelligence, Central Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency’s “eligible” intelligence officers were offered a similar offered, though it is unclear what sensitive or high positions are positions. Will be excluded.

Meanwhile, all USAID staff will be placed on administrative departure by Friday, as employees will be asked to leave their post next month and return to the United States next month. The agency, which distributes billions of dollars of aid worldwide, is already affected by staff obstacles and the Trump administration’s financing to support foreign aid.

In USAID, a relatively new new office of digital technology is no longer advising its partners about cyberciction, technology and human rights. The agency’s digital strategy, which is no longer available online, was developed during Trump’s first administration and was praised by the Project 2025 of the Conservative Think Tank Heritage Foundation so that “preserved in emerging markets. 5G Access and Take Beijing’s efforts to cope with the efforts of Beijing. “