Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes has launched scathing criticism against the Trump administration‘s substantial budget cuts to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, declaring the nation’s lead cybersecurity organization “weakened and politicized” following reductions that eliminated over 1,000 positions and slashed nearly $135 million from its operational budget.
The Trump administration initially proposed cutting nearly $500 million from CISA, representing approximately 17% of the agency’s total budget. As congressional appropriators ultimately softened these cuts to $135 million, the reductions still targeted critical programs dealing with misinformation, international engagement, and external partnerships with state and local governments.
Over 1,000 CISA employees have departed since early 2025 through layoffs, buyouts, and resignations, substantially reducing the agency’s operational capacity. The workforce reduction leaves remaining staff facing increased workloads and resource gaps, particularly affecting election security, critical infrastructure protection, and coordination with state governments. The funding cuts now leave CISA with a total budget of $2.7 billion, representing a 4.6% decrease from previous funding levels.
Over 1,000 CISA employees departed through layoffs and resignations, creating severe resource gaps in election security and infrastructure protection.
Fontes stated that CISA’s ability to secure elections has been “damaged,” making the agency unreliable for state partnerships. Arizona officials cited a loss of trust and effective collaboration with CISA following the cuts. CISA is part of the Department of Homeland Security and is tasked with protecting critical infrastructure against cyber threats.
When Arizona faced a high-profile hack involving Iranian imagery, state officials responded using state resources while declining to engage CISA over trust concerns. The incident highlighted the growing threat of zero-day exploits that target previously unknown system vulnerabilities.
Election security programs represent among the most vulnerable areas affected by budget and workforce reductions. States report weakened federal partnerships and reduced support for local election cybersecurity efforts.
The diminished CISA involvement creates gaps that foreign adversaries can exploit during election periods, according to cybersecurity experts.
The cuts eliminated or drastically reduced programs identified as “duplicative” or outside CISA’s core mission. “Rumor Control” and similar disinformation programs were terminated, while international affairs and regional security adviser offices faced closure or consolidation.
Programs designed to engage directly with states and localities were weakened or removed entirely.
State officials warn that partisan handling of cybersecurity disrupts national election security efforts and encourages adversary exploitation. Arizona’s response highlights growing tensions between federal agencies and state governments over cybersecurity coordination, potentially compromising nationwide election infrastructure protection.
