A former CIA agent is cautiously optimistic Donald Trump's plans for the agency won't affect its core mission.

The US President has extended buyout offers to the entire agency, which would see employees take some benefits like extended pa, in exchange for agreeing to resign.

Former agent and author David McCloskey, says he's hopeful the headlines are more smoke than fire.

He says agents he worked with under the first Trump administration would say there was almost no disruption in that time.

"The CIA just kind of runs and there's bluster and politicking at that sort of 30,000 foot level - but not really when you get down to what's happening inside the CIA."

LISTEN ABOVE