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Workers with the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency have been included in the Trump administration’s deferred resignation initiative.
The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has been revealed as the latest government agency to “participate” in sweeping resignations across the US federal government.
In an email dated 5 February, Bridget Bean – whose current title is senior official performing the duties of the director – confirmed that CISA employees were able to take up the Trump administration’s offer of deferred resignation, otherwise known as the Fork in the Road Program.
“I am writing to provide an update that CISA employees may participate in the deferred resignation program (‘Fork in the Road’),” Bean said.
“This is a deeply personal decision, and whichever decision you make, we support you.”
Jen Easterly, the CISA’s previous director, stepped down from the role on 20 January, the day of Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th President of the United States.
The initial offer to take part in the deferred resignation program was initially sent to government employees on 28 January and expires on 6 February. The letter outlined the four pillars under which government agencies would operate moving forward – return to office, performance culture, a more streamlined and flexible workforce, and enhanced standards of conduct – and offered employees the opportunity to resign.
“If you resign under this program, you will retain all pay and benefits regardless of your daily workload and will be exempted from all applicable in-person work requirements until September 30, 2025 (or earlier if you choose to accelerate your resignation for any reason),” the letter said.
Concerns have been raised, however, that the program could be terminated at any time, given that employees are required to offer a pre-signed -written resignation letter by 6 February that states: “I understand my employing agency will likely make adjustments in response to my resignation including moving, eliminating, consolidating, reassigning my position and tasks, reducing my official duties, and/or placing me on paid administrative leave until my resignation date.”
The deferred resignation program is being run by the US Office of Personnel Management and is part of the Trump administration’s efforts to downsize the federal workforce. However, as of 20 January, much of the management of the OPM was taken over by members of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, otherwise known as DOGE.
Several senior OPM executives have had their access to OPM networks revoked, prompting concerns that sensitive data such as government employees’ dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and home addresses is being overseen by inexperienced members of the DOGE team – one barely out of high school – and without adequate congressional oversight.
David Hollingworth has been writing about technology for over 20 years, and has worked for a range of print and online titles in his career. He is enjoying getting to grips with cyber security, especially when it lets him talk about Lego.
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