{"id":8078,"date":"2025-10-14T16:20:36","date_gmt":"2025-10-14T21:20:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/?p=86361"},"modified":"2025-10-14T16:20:36","modified_gmt":"2025-10-14T21:20:36","slug":"swalwell-seeks-answers-from-cisa-on-workforce-cuts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/2025\/10\/14\/swalwell-seeks-answers-from-cisa-on-workforce-cuts\/","title":{"rendered":"Swalwell seeks answers from CISA on workforce cuts"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><head> <meta charset=\"UTF-8\"> <meta name=\"viewport\" content=\"width=device-width, initial-scale=1\"> <meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-image-preview:large, max-snippet:-1, max-video-preview:-1\"> <!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.5 (Yoast SEO v24.5) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ --> <title>Swalwell seeks answers from CISA on workforce cuts | CyberScoop<\/title> <meta name=\"description\" content=\"Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., sent a letter Tuesday raising concerns about staffing levels and the direction of the nation's primary cybersecurity agency, writing that the &quot;Trump Administration has undertaken multiple efforts to decimate CISA's workforce, undermining our nation's cybersecurity.&quot;\"> <link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/swalwell-letter-cisa-workforce-cuts-personnel-shift\/\"> <meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\"> <meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\"> <meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Swalwell seeks answers from CISA on workforce cuts\"> <meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., sent a letter Tuesday raising concerns about staffing levels and the direction of the nation's primary cybersecurity agency, writing that the &quot;Trump Administration has undertaken multiple efforts to decimate CISA's workforce, undermining our nation's cybersecurity.&quot;\"> <meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/swalwell-letter-cisa-workforce-cuts-personnel-shift\/\"> <meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"CyberScoop\"> <meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/cyberscoop\/\"> <meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-10-14T21:20:36+00:00\"> <meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-10-14T21:21:01+00:00\"> <meta name=\"author\" content=\"Greg Otto\"> <meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\"> <meta name=\"twitter:image\" content=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/swalwell-seeks-answers-from-cisa-on-workforce-cuts-2.jpg\"> <meta 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id=\"tts-tooltip\">Learn more.<\/span> <span> This feature uses an automated voice, which may result in occasional errors in pronunciation, tone, or sentiment. <\/span> <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <!-- End of audio player --> <\/div>\n<div class=\"single-article__cover-wrap\">\n<figure class=\"single-article__cover\"> <img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"640\" height=\"426\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/swalwell-seeks-answers-from-cisa-on-workforce-cuts.jpg?resize=640%2C426&#038;ssl=1\" class=\"single-article__cover-image wp-post-image\" alt decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/swalwell-seeks-answers-from-cisa-on-workforce-cuts-2.jpg 5683w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/swalwell-seeks-answers-from-cisa-on-workforce-cuts-2.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, 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https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/swalwell-seeks-answers-from-cisa-on-workforce-cuts-2.jpg?resize=1013,675 1013w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/swalwell-seeks-answers-from-cisa-on-workforce-cuts-2.jpg?resize=1265,843 1265w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1013px) 100vw, 1013px\"><figcaption> U.S. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) speaks at a press conference on committee assignments for the 118th U.S. Congress, at the U.S. Capitol Building on January 25, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch\/Getty Images) <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"single-article__content\">\n<div class=\"single-article__content-inner has-drop-cap\"> <html readability=\"23.773559011894\"><body readability=\"48.023272995936\"><\/p>\n<p>Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., sent a letter Tuesday to acting CISA Director Madhu Gottumukkala raising concerns about staffing levels and the direction of the nation\u2019s primary cybersecurity agency, writing that the \u201cTrump Administration has undertaken multiple efforts to decimate CISA\u2019s workforce, undermining our nation\u2019s cybersecurity.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Swalwell, the ranking member on the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection, called out the agency <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2025-10-08\/homeland-security-cyber-personnel-reassigned-to-jobs-in-trump-s-deportation-push\">for its reported shift<\/a> of cybersecurity personnel to the Department of Homeland Security\u2019s deportation efforts, on top of the approximately 760 people that have been let go from the agency since January.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAmid reports that the Department of Homeland Security is now forcibly transferring CISA\u2019s cybersecurity employees to other DHS components, it has become apparent that the Department\u2019s exclusive focus on its mass deportation campaign is coming at the expense of our national security,\u201d Swalwell writes. \u201cAs further evidence of the Administration\u2019s failure to prioritize cybersecurity, CISA is now engaging in Reductions in Force (RIFs) that threaten CISA\u2019s capacity to prevent and respond to cybersecurity threats. I demand you immediately cease all efforts to cut CISA\u2019s workforce, reinstate employees who were transferred or dismissed, and provide details on the impacts of the agency\u2019s workforce reductions.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>The letter is not the first time Swalwell has asked for information about CISA\u2019s workforce. In April, <a href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/eric-swalwell-hill-briefing-planned-cisa-personnel-cuts\/\">he asked the agency<\/a> to brief the subcommittee on its workforce plans. He wrote in Tuesday\u2019s letter he had not heard back from CISA.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"ad ad--inline_1 \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Further in the letter, Swalwell says shifting CISA personnel to deportation efforts takes away from the agency\u2019s core mission at a time of \u201cunprecedented cybersecurity threats,\u201d pointing to <a href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/cisa-emergency-directive-cisco-zero-days\/\">the emergency directive issued last month<\/a> about an ongoing and widespread attack spree affecting Cisco firewalls. He also questions CISA\u2019s ability to leverage third-party expertise, given the agency\u2019s September <a href=\"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/cisa-confirms-its-ending-ms-isac-support\/\">termination of its agreement<\/a> with the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center \u2014 a partnership previously underpinned by $27 million in federal funding for fiscal year 2025.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn order to combat these threats, CISA needs to have sufficient personnel to carry out its mission, particularly at a time when canceled contracts and cooperative agreements have left CISA without critical third-party support,\u201d Swalwell writes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>A CISA spokesperson was unavailable for comment due to the government shutdown.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>You can read the full letter below.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p> <\/body> <\/p>\n<footer class=\"single-article__footer\" readability=\"3.9956217162872\">\n<div class=\"author-card\" readability=\"14\">\n<div class=\"author-card__avatar\">\n<figure class=\"author-card__image-wrap\"> <img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"author-card__image\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/swalwell-seeks-answers-from-cisa-on-workforce-cuts-1.jpg?w=640&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Greg Otto\"> <\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><h4 class=\"author-card__name\">Written by Greg Otto<\/h4>\n<p> Greg Otto is Editor-in-Chief of CyberScoop, overseeing all editorial content for the website. Greg has led cybersecurity coverage that has won various awards, including accolades from the Society of Professional Journalists and the American Society of Business Publication Editors. Prior to joining Scoop News Group, Greg worked for the Washington Business Journal, U.S. News &amp; World Report and WTOP Radio. 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