White House Budget Axes Cybersecurity Agency Misinformation Programs

The federal government’s cybersecurity agency is facing a $707 million budget cut amid a realignment of its focus.

This cut for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), which is part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is part of the fiscal year 2027 Budget of the U.S. Government published by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

After the cut, CISA’s budget would be about $2.02 billion, according to a budget appendix for the DHS.

The OMB said in the budget that the new allocation restores CISA to its original mission, removes programs that duplicate others at the state and federal levels, and eliminates programs focused on so-called misinformation and propaganda.

“The Budget refocuses CISA on its core mission — Federal network defense and enhancing the security and resilience of critical infrastructure — while eliminating weaponization and waste,” OMB said in the budget. “CISA was more focused on censorship than on protecting the Nation’s critical systems, and put them at risk due to poor management and inefficiency, as well as a focus on self-promotion.”

It was reported in March 2025 that CISA was facing scrutiny amid the spending cuts that were being made by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

CISA issued a statement at the time addressing reports and social media posts alleging that the agency had laid off members of its “red team” that proactively identifies security defense vulnerabilities in various infrastructure networks and systems by simulating attacks from hackers.

“CISA has taken action to terminate contracts where the agency has been able to find efficiencies and eliminate duplication of effort,” the agency wrote in a March 2025 statement. “As good stewards of the taxpayer dollar and in accordance with good fiscal governance practices, CISA regularly reviews contracts across the agency to ensure that we have the capabilities that we need and that we are allocating resources in ways that make the most impact.”

CISA issued a playbook in April 2024 that aimed to help companies navigate the cybersecurity landscape, including dangers lurking in artificial intelligence (AI). The recommendations highlighted the need for enhanced safeguards as AI increasingly integrates into essential sectors.