Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy has sharply criticized the Trump administration for what he describes as the unlawful slashing of federal funding for cybersecurity. Speaking during a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security hearing on the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget, Murphy accused the administration of diverting funds from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to focus on border security. Murphy, who serves as the ranking Democrat on the subcommittee, argued that these budget decisions violated congressional directives regarding the allocation of federal funds.
Murphy warned of growing vulnerabilities, pointing to increased activity from Russian and Chinese hackers. “As we speak, Russian and Chinese hackers are having a field day hacking our nation,” he said, stressing the national security risks of the cuts. The administration has already begun phasing out CISA personnel, and more reductions could occur under the proposed $491 million budget cut for 2026. Murphy’s remarks echoed broader concerns among Democrats that these funding decisions would leave the United States more exposed to cyber threats.
House Democrats Echo Concerns Over CISA Budget Cuts
The Trump Administration criticism is not limited to the Senate. Earlier in the week, House Democrats also voiced their alarm about the potential impact of the cuts on national cybersecurity. Representative Lauren Underwood of Illinois, the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, described the budget reductions as extreme and dangerous. “That’s not cutting fat,” she said. “That’s a death blow.” Underwood questioned the administration’s apparent push to dismantle critical cybersecurity defenses, asking why it seemed determined to undermine the infrastructure protecting the nation from digital threats.
Despite bipartisan acknowledgment of the growing cyber risk landscape, the administration continues to defend its proposed reallocation of CISA funds. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem argued that the cuts are part of an effort to reorient CISA toward its “core mission” of protecting critical infrastructure. According to Noem, CISA had drifted from its central responsibilities by focusing on countering misinformation and disinformation, a role she likened to a “Ministry of Truth.”
Contentious Debate Over CISA’s Mission and National Security of Trump Administration
During the hearing, Noem faced pointed questions from Senator Gary Peters of Michigan, who challenged her on the rationale behind cutting 15 positions related to misinformation work. He emphasized that this represented a tiny fraction of CISA’s 3,000-person workforce and asked for clarity on what functions were deemed “off-mission.” Noem responded that the administration had eliminated misinformation-related roles to bring the agency back in line with its foundational goals.
However, Noem also acknowledged several existing shortcomings within CISA, including its failure to stop the recent Salt Typhoon cyberattacks on telecommunications networks, poor coordination with the intelligence community, and inadequate systems for sharing cybersecurity information. These statements have done little to reassure lawmakers concerned about the agency’s future capabilities.
As the debate continues, the fate of CISA’s budget remains uncertain. With global cyber threats escalating, critics argue that now is not the time to weaken the agency tasked with defending America’s digital infrastructure.
