In a recent development, U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren, Mark Warner, and Andy Kim have raised concerns over the Department of the Treasury's decision to halt hiring and rescind job offers for national security officials within the Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence (TFI). This action follows a hiring freeze implemented by President Trump on January 20.
Senator Warren expressed her apprehension, stating: “Instead of hiring key national security personnel, Treasury appears to be following directives from Elon Musk’s DOGE to leave key positions unfilled, threatening the Department’s mission to keep the American people safe.”
The Department confirmed it had taken measures in line with guidance from OPM and OMB: “In accordance with OPM and OMB guidance, on January 20, 2025, Treasury instituted a hiring freeze across the Department, to include TFI. Treasury rescinded all job offers for persons that did not have an onboarding date or were scheduled to start after February 8, 2025.”
Despite these actions being almost two months into the Trump Administration, Treasury has yet to apply exemptions for national security roles. They stated: “Treasury has begun working through a process to utilize the national security exemption for employees in TFI, and other national security functions within the department, where appropriate. Additionally, where a clear exemption from the hiring freeze exists, Treasury has begun a deliberate process of assessing continued interest by candidates to pursue job opportunities within Treasury.”
These delays come amid ongoing shortages in personnel as highlighted in Treasury's Fiscal Year 2025 budget justification to Congress. The department emphasized its need for additional staff to meet essential national security demands.
The halting of hiring processes and rescinding of job offers raise significant concerns about potential risks to economic and national security during a period marked by global challenges including threats from countries such as China and Russia.