Plankey withdraws nomination to lead CISA

Sean Plankey, President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, has withdrawn himself from consideration for the role a year after being nominated, he confirmed to Nextgov/FCW. 

“After thirteen months since my initial nomination, it has become clear the Senate will not confirm me,” he said in a statement sent to the White House that he confirmed. Politico first reported his withdrawal and the statement. 

“While I humbly request the removal of my nomination, I wholeheartedly support President Trump’s upcoming nomination for CISA and look forward to the continued success of the United States of America,” it adds. 

Plankey held an advisory role in the U.S. Coast Guard throughout much of the confirmation process, but was caught up in issues concerning Coast Guard cutter contracts with Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., who had put a hold on his nomination at the end of last year.

Plankey left the Coast Guard last month, which he said was intended to show Scott that he’s no longer involved in those contracts, Nextgov/FCW first reported. 

Even after Plankey’s departure, it wasn’t clear that Scott had changed his mind on the CISA nomination, according to multiple people familiar with the matter. 

Plankey was first nominated last March, and his nomination was reupped in January after he remained unconfirmed through 2025. 

The move is the latest setback for the cyber agency, which has lost around a third of its workforce since Trump returned to office. Nick Andersen has been leading the agency in an acting capacity after its previous acting leader, Madhu Gottumukkala, left in February amid a series of leadership incidents during his tenure.

It’s not clear who will be nominated to lead the cyberdefense agency now. CISA and the White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

“This is an important position and I sincerely hope it has permanent leadership soon. If there is any hope that we can rebuild CISA after it has been decimated by the Trump administration, a qualified professional must be nominated and confirmed swiftly,” Mississippi Rep. Bennie Thompson, the lead Democrat on the House Homeland Security Committee, said in a statement. “Our nation faces real threats from retaliation by Iran and to our critical infrastructure, additionally there’s a crucial need for CISA to help secure our federal elections this year.”

Rep. Andrew Garbarino, R-N.Y., the panel’s chairman, also said "I am sad to hear that he has withdrawn.”

“We are at a pivotal time as America faces heightened cyber threats, and I’ve continued to say that CISA needs a Senate-confirmed director to steer the ship," Garbarino said in a statement. "I thank Sean for his work over the last year and for his DHS service. I look forward to working with the administration when a new nominee is put forward, and I hope this is a quick process given how long CISA has been without confirmed leadership. The Senate needs to do its job.”

Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to include statements from Reps. Andrew Garbarino and Bennie Thompson.