The mass layoffs of federal workers by President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk have created a perfect storm for foreign adversaries to recruit informants. With thousands of workers with insider knowledge and connections being forced out of their jobs, national security and intelligence experts warn that this presents an unprecedented opportunity for Russia, China, and other adversaries to gain valuable information.
Every former federal worker with knowledge of or access to sensitive information or systems could be a target. This information is highly valuable, and it’s no surprise that foreign adversaries are aggressively recruiting government employees. Theresa Payton, a former White House chief information officer, notes that this information is highly valuable, and it shouldn’t be surprising that Russia, China, and other organizations are recruiting government employees.
Many agencies oversee crucial data, including personal information on Americans, sensitive information about national security, and government operations. Exiting employees could give away helpful security secrets, allowing someone to penetrate government databases or physical offices. For instance, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative maintains information on trade negotiations that could help an adversary undercut the United States.
The sheer number of federal workers being laid off creates a significant counterespionage challenge for the United States. It’s not just intelligence officers who present potential security risks; many departments and agencies oversee vast amounts of sensitive data. Former counterintelligence official John Schindler warns that someone is likely to go rogue, and it’s just a question of how bad it will be.
Even one person can do serious damage. Former FBI agent Robert Hanssen and former CIA officer Aldrich Ames, who both spied for Russia, demonstrate how damaging a single informant can be. Hanssen divulged sweeping information about American intelligence-gathering, which partly led to the outing of U.S. informants in Russia who were later executed.
Foreign adversaries are actively looking for former employees to flip. They’re hunting for that one informant who could deliver a big advantage for their nation. Frank Montoya Jr., a retired senior FBI official, notes that workers in other realms of government, such as the IRS or Social Services, could be targeted by Russia or China.
The internet has made it easier for foreign nations to identify and recruit potential informants. A LinkedIn subscription can quickly find former federal officials in search of work. Foreign spy services or scammers can post fake job ads online to exploit recently laid-off federal workers. Payton advises former federal employees to be on high alert when looking for work.
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence has announced plans to investigate leaks within the intelligence community, but experts warn that the risk of former federal workers selling out the country is high. With thousands of workers being laid off, the potential for damage is significant. As Schindler notes, it’s a numbers game, and the odds of someone going rogue are high.
