Foreign intelligence agencies, including Russia and China, are actively attempting to recruit recently laid-off U.S. federal employees with national security roles, according to a CNN report.

The efforts are particularly focused on individuals vulnerable after mass layoffs across federal agencies, as planned by the Trump administration.

A document from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) revealed that foreign agents are using platforms like LinkedIn, TikTok, RedNote, and Reddit to target those with security clearances.

In one case, a foreign intelligence officer instructed an asset to post a job opening on LinkedIn to approach federal employees listed as “open to work.”

“These employees are at their most vulnerable right now, out of a job, bitter about being fired,” a source familiar with the situation told CNN.

Former National Security Council counterintelligence director, Holden Triplett, also warned, “Employees who feel mistreated are historically more likely to disclose sensitive information.”

The Pentagon is planning to cut over 5,000 probationary employees, and the CIA has already dismissed more than 20 officers.

These firings have raised concerns about potential security breaches, as some fear that the CIA may have inadvertently exposed undercover officers by sharing a list of new hires over an unclassified network.

While Chinese embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu denied the allegations, calling them “groundless speculation,” the situation has sparked alarm among U.S. intelligence officials.

However, Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, dismissed the concerns as politically motivated, criticizing intelligence officials for questioning loyalty.

As foreign intelligence agencies continue to target vulnerable U.S. federal employees, the risk of security breaches grows, further complicating the national security landscape.