CISA Faces Workforce and Budget Cuts Under Trump's Second Term

Since the commencement of President Donald Trump's second term in January 2025, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has experienced a significant reduction in its workforce, with approximately one-third of its staff—around 1,000 employees—departing. This attrition coincides with the administration's proposal for a 17% budget cut for the agency in the 2026 fiscal year, aiming to reduce CISA's workforce from 3,732 to 2,649 positions.

Established in 2018 under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), CISA is tasked with safeguarding the nation's critical infrastructure from cyber threats. Its responsibilities include protecting federal networks, coordinating cybersecurity efforts across various government levels, and collaborating with the private sector to enhance national cyber resilience.

The recent workforce reductions have notably impacted key units within CISA, including those focused on election integrity and diversity. Additionally, about 600 employees across DHS, including those from CISA, have accepted buyouts, indicating a broader impact on the department's operations.

In March 2025, President Trump nominated Sean Plankey, a former U.S. Coast Guard officer and previous Director for Cyber Policy in the White House, to lead CISA. Plankey's nomination is pending Senate confirmation.

The substantial reduction in CISA's workforce and budget has raised several concerns:

• National Security Risks: The attrition of experienced personnel may impair CISA's ability to protect critical infrastructure, including power grids, water systems, and election technology, especially amid escalating international cyber threats.

• Election Security: The suspension of CISA's election security initiatives and the administrative leave of 17 employees involved in these programs have sparked apprehension about the integrity of future elections.

• Private Sector Collaboration: The reduction in CISA's capabilities may hinder its collaboration with private sector partners, potentially affecting the sharing of threat intelligence and coordinated responses to cyber incidents.

These developments at CISA are part of a wider trend of federal workforce reductions:

• Department of Defense: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has directed the Pentagon to identify $50 billion in cuts to fund military priorities, potentially affecting various programs and personnel.

• Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC): The SEC has proposed maintaining its current funding level while reducing its workforce by nearly 10%, following recent staff cuts in key divisions.

The significant workforce reductions and proposed budget cuts at CISA pose a substantial challenge to the nation's cybersecurity posture. As the agency grapples with these changes, the responsibility to safeguard critical infrastructure increasingly falls on state and local governments, as well as private sector partners. The coming months will be crucial in determining how these entities adapt to the evolving cybersecurity landscape and whether the nation can maintain its resilience against cyber threats.