Plankey Asks Trump to Pull His Nomination
Sean Plankey, the long-stalled nominee to serve as director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), formally requested on Wednesday that President Donald Trump withdraw his nomination from Senate consideration. In a notification letter obtained by CyberScoop, Plankey wrote:
"At this point in time, I am asking the President to remove my nomination from consideration. After thirteen months since my initial nomination, it has become clear that the Senate will not confirm me."
Plankey framed the withdrawal as a matter of urgency for national security, arguing that the agency could no longer afford to wait. "The Nation and Department of Homeland Security Secretary MarkWayne Mullin requires a confirmed director of CISA without further delay," he wrote, while also expressing personal gratitude to Trump and voicing support for whoever the president chooses to nominate next. "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," he added.
A Nomination That Was Already Considered Dead
Plankey's path to confirmation had been troubled almost from the beginning. By the close of last year, most observers had concluded his nomination was effectively finished. His renomination in 2025 therefore came as a surprise to many Washington insiders, and CBS News reported at the time that the paperwork had been filed in error — a claim the White House flatly denied.
Multiple senators had placed holds on his nomination, stalling any forward momentum. These obstacles came not only from the opposing party but also from within Republican ranks. Most notably, Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) blocked the nomination over a Coast Guard contract involving a Florida company that the Department of Homeland Security had partially canceled. Plankey had been serving as an adviser to then-DHS Secretary Kristi Noem on Coast Guard-related matters during this period. He retired from the Coast Guard last month.
Acting Leadership Has Rotated Multiple Times
While Plankey's confirmation remained in limbo, CISA cycled through a series of acting directors. Bridget Bean held the role first, followed by Madhu Gottumukkala. Gottumukkala ultimately departed the acting director position for a different role at DHS, a move that came amid widespread criticism of his leadership style. Nick Andersen is currently serving as CISA's acting director.
Plankey told CyberScoop that he had personally discussed withdrawing his nomination with newly confirmed DHS Secretary MarkWayne Mullin, who was confirmed by the Senate just weeks before Plankey's decision. He described having a "positive relationship" with Mullin and expressed support for Mullin's leadership of the department. Plankey also spoke highly of current acting director Andersen, calling him "one of the most competent cybersecurity people in the country."
CISA Faces Deeper Instability Under Trump Administration
Plankey's exit from the nomination process leaves CISA in an extended state of uncertainty. Under the Trump administration, the agency has experienced significant turbulence, including sweeping personnel reductions and budget cuts that have pushed out or driven away numerous senior officials.
Looking ahead, the administration has proposed even steeper budget reductions for fiscal year 2027, raising further concerns among cybersecurity professionals about the agency's capacity to fulfill its mission of protecting critical national infrastructure. The combination of leadership vacancies, staff departures, and funding pressures has left CISA in a precarious position at a time when cyber threats to the United States continue to grow in scale and sophistication.
Politico was first to report on Plankey's withdrawal request. The White House, DHS, and CISA did not respond to requests for official comment.
What Comes Next
With Plankey out of the picture, the Trump administration will need to identify and nominate a new candidate for the permanent CISA director role — a process that could take additional months and require Senate confirmation hearings. In the meantime, Nick Andersen will continue in the acting capacity, maintaining day-to-day oversight of the agency responsible for coordinating the federal government's cybersecurity defenses and protecting the nation's critical infrastructure sectors.
Source: CyberScoop