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CIA fires first openly transgender analyst Julia Curlee

8/24/2026

Center

Julia Curlee Fired

Former CIA analyst Julia Curlee was dismissed from the agency early in U.S. President Donald Trump’s second term.
Curlee says her firing and the dismissal of National Security Council staff were meant to signal to President Trump’s base, not to safeguard national security.
The CIA noted her as its first openly transgender officer after nearly 20 years.
She detailed her experience in The Atlantic essay “The Wrong Kind of American”.

Left

Julia Curlee Fired

Former CIA analyst Julia Curlee was dismissed early in U.S. President Donald Trump’s second term.
The firing happened during anti-transgender policies that stripped her benefits and protections, exposing institutional harm to LGBTQ federal workers.
Curlee joined the CIA in 2007 as its first openly transgender officer who remained employed.
Trump’s executive order recognizing only two sexes ended her restroom access and estrogen-medication insurance.

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Julia Curlee Fired

Former CIA analyst Julia Curlee was dismissed from the agency early in U.S. President Donald Trump’s second term.
Curlee says her firing and the dismissal of National Security Council staff were meant to signal to President Trump’s base, not to safeguard national security.
The CIA noted her as its first openly transgender officer after nearly 20 years.
She detailed her experience in The Atlantic essay “The Wrong Kind of American”.

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