DHS intelligence office halts staff cuts after stakeholder backlash

The Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Intelligence and Analysis has briefly paused plans to terminate most of its employees following pushback from law enforcement associations and Jewish community groups, according to two people familiar with the matter.

The pause comes after Nextgov/FCW first reported I&A’s initial plans to shed about 75% of its staff. Both people for this story spoke on the condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to publicly discuss the update. 

In response to earlier reporting, legislators and representatives from law enforcement and Jewish communities encouraged senior Trump officials to rethink the staffing cuts. Democratic lawmakers told DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard to not take “this drastic and unilateral step and instead to consult with Congress about alternative ways to make I&A as effective and efficient as possible.”

Read more at NextGov/FCW