WASHINGTON — Republicans and Democrats appear to be split on Donald Trump's decision to begin the purge of CIA staff.
A Wednesday report revealed that the CIA handed over names of all employees brought on under Joe Biden's administration as he looks to decimate the federal workforce.
Rep. Lou Correa (D-CA) told Raw Story that what Trump is doing is "a very dangerous move."
"The world has not gotten any safer in the last few years," Correa said, noting that he was just told about an employee who was asked to resign.
"And the institutional knowledge those CIA agents have, in terms of protecting our country, keeping us safe, is now going to be tossed out?" he questioned. "It's crazy. It's not wise, I would say. It's not wise."
Sen. Jim Himes (D-CT) also said he'd just heard the news about the CIA purge.
"You know, I don't understand if what you're trying to do is to reorient to China, why you tell the Chinese-speaking people in the agency that you can take an early buyout. So, I just don't understand this."
A "buyout" occurs when an employer agrees to pay an employee a lump sum equivalent to or more than their salary for a period of time in exchange for their resignation. That's not what's happening in the case of the federal government employee purges, according to political onlookers.
Most civil servants and federal workers are being given an ultimatum to resign, retire, or be fired. One USDA official, who believed her forced resignation wasn't proper, was escorted out by security.
Some are being told that if they agree to resign, they will be exempt from the mandatory "return to the office" requirement. The implication is that they'll not be working from home, and that will be their "severance." The problem is that this offer isn't being extended to most federal employees, and many are concerned it isn't legal or credible.
Himes said he understands a president wanting to "reorient" but called this method "a risky way to do it."
Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) agreed that these employee purges are "making America less safe," particularly since we're in "a dangerous time in the world, and all of our best security officials are doubling down."
Meanwhile, Republicans are still standing behind Trump's actions.
Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA) agreed purging the CIA was "a good place to start. See who's interested. See who the takers are. It's a good place to start."