Across party lines and industry, the verdict is the same: CISA is in trouble
Across party lines and industry, the verdict is the same: CISA is in trouble
https://cyberscoop.com/cisa-personnel-cuts-trump-second-term-analysis/
Publish Date: 2026-02-25 06:02:00
Source Domain: cyberscoop.com
“Decimated.”
“Amateur hour.”
“Pretty much fallen apart.”
“It’s really hard to find something positive to say right now.”
It’s been a little more than one year into the second Trump administration, and there’s a large consensus, if not total unanimity, among those who have worked with and for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency: It has suffered significantly during that time.
CISA has lost roughly a third of its personnel and shuttered entire divisions. Observers across the political spectrum told CyberScoop for this story that even on its core missions, like coordinating with industry and protecting federal networks, the agency is significantly diminished.
Many sources that spoke with CyberScoop did so under the condition of anonymity, in order to be more candid or avoid retribution. They told CyberScoop that CISA’s biggest problems, and their consequences, include:
- Trump’s ire over the 2020 election results has led to the agency being deprioritized within the administration. Congress has yet to approve the administration’s permanent pick to lead the agency, Sean Plankey, and lawmakers have failed to do other things to strengthen it.
- CISA’s capabilities have been significantly diminished by the loss of personnel, expertise and programs.
- In the absence of a permanent leader, Acting Director Madhu Gottumukkala has struggled to lead the agency. “I don’t think anybody would argue he’s doing a great job,” one industry source said.
- Organizations that previously turned to CISA for help now seek alternatives, like industry alliances, outside consultants or government-to-government partnerships.
Where to assign blame varied from source to source. Most criticized both the administration and Congress, though some faulted one more than the other.
Some see bright sports in CISA under the current administration. And while many are pessimistic about the…
