Trump Taps Sean Plankey to Head CISA, Amid Controversy Over Cyber Agency's Misinformation Efforts

President Donald Trump has nominated Sean Plankey to head the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), a move that comes as the agency faces increased scrutiny over its misinformation efforts. Plankey, who served at the Energy Department and National Security Council during Trump's first term, will need Senate confirmation to lead CISA.

Plankey's background in cybersecurity leadership roles at U.S. Cyber Command and his experience overseeing energy sector engagement and preparedness efforts at the Department of Energy make him a strong candidate for the role. However, his appointment has been met with skepticism from some lawmakers and critics who point to Republican claims that CISA's misinformation efforts have targeted conservative voices.

Before the 2020 election and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, CISA worked with social media firms to counter false information propagating on their platforms, particularly from foreign adversaries and domestic actors. The flagged content often centered on vaccine efficacy and Trump's unsubstantiated election fraud claims. However, those efforts were curbed amid a 2023 lawsuit originating from Missouri, which accused the Biden administration of infringing on First Amendment rights and suppressing conservative voices.

A former CISA official told lawmakers this month that those agency disinformation efforts totaled less than 1% of its budget – around $2 million of its $3 billion topline – and refuted any GOP claims that it censored Americans. However, the controversy surrounding CISA's misinformation efforts has raised questions about the agency's role in supporting critical infrastructure and preventing cyberattacks.

CISA is still maintaining radio silence with social media firms as Super Tuesday kicks off, a move that has sparked criticism from lawmakers and critics who point to the agency's limited communication on the matter. Kristi Noem, who is now at the helm of CISA's parent agency, the Department of Homeland Security, has stated that "CISA's gotten far off-mission" and should refocus its efforts on supporting critical infrastructure rather than getting involved in misinformation campaigns.

Noem's comments come as part of a broader effort to downsize the agency under Trump 2.0. The administration recently purged members across various advisory boards, including the Cyber Safety Review Board, which was in the midst of investigating a major Chinese hack into telecom systems that compromised the communications of people close to Trump and Vice President JD Vance.

Plankey is expected to help shape membership and the business of the CSRB moving forward. However, it's unclear how the agency under Plankey would handle election security matters, which are critical for ensuring the integrity of the US electoral system.

The Controversy Surrounding CISA's Misinformation Efforts

CISA has faced criticism from Republicans and conservative groups over its efforts to counter misinformation on social media platforms. The agency has worked with firms like Facebook and Twitter to identify and remove false information, particularly during the 2020 election and COVID-19 pandemic.

However, some lawmakers have accused CISA of targeting conservative voices and infringing on First Amendment rights. A 2023 lawsuit originating from Missouri alleged that the Biden administration had suppressed conservative views by working with social media firms to remove false information.

The Supreme Court ultimately ruled in favor of the Biden administration, but the controversy surrounding CISA's misinformation efforts has raised questions about the agency's role in supporting critical infrastructure and preventing cyberattacks. Plankey will need to navigate this complex landscape as he takes the reins at CISA.

Next Steps for Plankey

Plankey is expected to help shape membership and the business of the CSRB moving forward, but it's unclear how the agency under his leadership would handle election security matters. As head of CISA, Plankey will need to balance competing priorities while navigating the complex landscape of cybersecurity threats.

The Senate confirmation process for Plankey will likely be closely watched by lawmakers and observers who are eager to see how he will approach the challenges facing CISA. With a Republican majority in the Senate, it's possible that Plankey could face less scrutiny than his predecessor, Jen Easterly, but the controversy surrounding CISA's misinformation efforts may still play a role in shaping his confirmation process.