According to sources cited by Axios, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is considering offering its employees the option to voluntarily resign. This initiative may be followed by more direct measures to cut staff if the expected number of departures is not achieved. Approximately 1,300 employees could be affected by these measures, although current reports indicate that the agency employed nearly 3,400 people based on the latest data.
Potential Effects on Cybersecurity Operations
The planned layoffs include the dismissal of 75 contractors involved in “threat hunting” operations conducted by CISA. These operations are vital for identifying vulnerabilities and detecting intrusions within federal networks. The contractors in question work for companies such as Nightwing and Peraton. Losing these cybersecurity experts could significantly weaken CISA’s ability to identify, respond to, and mitigate cyber threats effectively.
The timing of these reductions remains unclear. A source close to the matter told Axios that the staff cuts are expected to take place within a few weeks, rather than spreading out over several months. Such rapid downsizing raises concerns about the agency’s capacity to maintain its mission of protecting critical infrastructure.
The proposed staffing reductions have sparked concern within Congress. Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell of California, a member of the cybersecurity subcommittee, has called for a briefing to better understand these changes. Meanwhile, Democratic Representative Bennie Thompson of Mississippi described the measures as “foolish” and “irrational,” voicing fears about their potential impact on national security.
This move comes at a time when CISA has already terminated several contracts and dismissed over 130 employees during probationary periods, further raising questions about the agency’s ability to fulfill its mission of safeguarding vital infrastructure.
These measures are part of a broader initiative known as DOGE — short for “Department of Government Efficiency” — a government entity led by Elon Musk since January 2025. DOGE’s goal is to cut federal spending by $1 trillion by 2026. Its 130-day mandate is scheduled to conclude in May 2025.
Under Musk’s leadership, DOGE has implemented contentious policies, including mass layoffs and budget cuts across various federal agencies. Reports from within the Trump administration and Reuters indicate that DOGE has been leveraging artificial intelligence tools, notably Elon Musk’s chatbot Grok, to monitor communications among federal employees. This has raised significant concerns related to transparency and legality.
