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    Cybersecurity Policy Report, CISA Leadership Uncertainty Grows as Noem, Plankey Depart DHS, (Mar 5, 2026)

    Organizations Mentioned:Secretary of Homeland Security

    By Tom Leithauser

    The leadership picture at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency grew fuzzier today after President Trump announced that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem would move to a new role within the administration, and Sean Plankey, who w ...

    By Tom Leithauser

    The leadership picture at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency grew fuzzier today after President Trump announced that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem would move to a new role within the administration, and Sean Plankey, who was nominated to become CISA’s director, also exited the Department of Homeland Security.

    “I am pleased to announce that the Highly Respected United States Senator from the Great State of Oklahoma, Markwayne Mullin, will become the United States Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS), effective March 31, 2026. The current Secretary, Kristi Noem, who has served us well, and has had numerous and spectacular results (especially on the Border!), will be moving to be Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas, our new Security Initiative in the Western Hemisphere,” the president announced on Truth Social.

    In a LinkedIn post, Mr. Plankey said he was leaving his role as senior adviser to Ms. Noem on Coast Guard issues. “Now as the President’s Nominee for Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency I must pivot and prepare for the task ahead,” Mr. Plankey said.

    Mr. Plankey’s nomination was advanced last July by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (CPR, July 30, 2025). But his confirmation by the full Senate faced “holds” from Sens. Ron Wyden (D., Ore.) and Rick Scott (R., Fla.).

    He was renominated in January, but the holds remain (CPR, Jan. 14). Sen. Wyden insists he won’t lift his hold until CISA releases a report on telecom cybersecurity. Senate holds are not absolute barriers to votes on nominees but prevent confirmation by unanimous consent, instead requiring a recorded vote.

    In addition to the departures of Ms. Noem and Mr. Plankey, Nick Andersen recently succeeded Madhu Gottumukkala as CISA’s acting director amid criticisms of Mr. Gottumukkala’s tenure (CPR, Feb. 27).

    MainStory: TopStory FederalLegislation DataSecurity

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