Trump’s CISA director nominee exits consideration for leadership role

Nearly a year after being selected by President Donald Trump to spearhead the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, Sean Plankey has decided to pull out from the nomination process, according to Nextgov/FCW.

Plankey withdrew his nomination for CISA after a political impasse linked to Coast Guard cutter contract disputes involving Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla. Despite eventually departing his Coast Guard advisory position to avoid conflicts of interest, Plankey's nomination continued to be opposed by Scott. Repeated delays, along with uncertain Senate support, ultimately prevented the appointment, leaving CISA with no confirmed permanent director.

House Homeland Security Committee's leading Democrat Bennie Thompson of Mississippi urged that a qualified leader be appointed immediately to help bolster critical infrastructure and election security against Iran and other adversarial threats.

"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," said Thomspon.