Trans CIA veteran says Trump purge crippled U.S. intelligence and worsened Iran war
Former CIA analyst Julia Curlee alleges the Trump administration’s mass dismissal of NSC staff and anti-trans actions left the government unable to manage critical security tasks, contributing to the Iran conflict.
Julia Curlee, a longtime CIA analyst who served under both Trump and Biden, was fired in March 2025 after a social-media post by Laura Loomer revealed her as a transgender Biden holdover. Although instructed to remain discreet, Curlee returned to work to complete vital tasks before being removed. She describes a chaotic environment in which the Trump administration dismissed roughly 160 NSC staff, leaving senior officials without clearances, technical support, or basic procedures for handling classified briefings.
Curlee warns that such gaps could be exploited by hostile nations and cites the administration’s mishandling of the Iran war—lack of evacuation plans and failure to coordinate with allies—as evidence of the damage. Subsequent purges, including the firing of top National Intelligence Council officials and a senior Russia expert by national intelligence director Tulsi Gabbard, reinforced her view that politicized dismissals silenced critical messengers. In May 2026 Curlee left the CIA after being issued a male passport and barred from women’s restrooms, and she now serves as a public-service fellow at Lawfare, urging disclosure of the security fallout.
Why it matters
The account highlights how politicized staffing cuts can weaken national security and affect foreign policy outcomes.
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