Transgender CIA Analyst Julia Curlee Reflects on Trump Dismissal

Julia Curlee, a former senior CIA analyst, has shared her experience of being dismissed from her position on the National Security Council during the Trump administration. In an essay published in The Atlantic, Curlee recounts the moment she learned of her firing in March 2025, which coincided with public calls for her removal by far-right figures. Curlee, who served for two decades at the CIA, noted that her transgender identity was known to Trump officials from the beginning, but it only became a point of contention once it was made public. She expressed her frustration that her extensive service and contributions were overshadowed by her identity, stating, "I was the wrong kind of American." Curlee's reflections also touch on the broader implications of the Trump administration's policies regarding LGBTQ rights, particularly in light of recent attacks on gender-affirming care and restrictions on transgender individuals. Despite the challenges she faced, Curlee emphasized her commitment to her country and her pride in her identity. She had hoped to continue her career at the CIA, but the administration's actions led her to feel that her calling had been taken from her. Curlee's essay serves as a poignant reminder of the struggles faced by LGBTQ individuals in government service and the impact of political climates on personal identities. She concluded her piece by expressing her disillusionment with the CIA's promise to support LGBTQ recruits, stating that she could no longer in good conscience encourage others to join the agency under the current circumstances.