President Trump’s long-stalled pick to lead a key U.S. cybersecurity agency, Sean Plankey, withdrew his name from Senate consideration on Wednesday, saying it had become clear to him that lawmakers would not confirm him.
In a letter sent to the White House, Mr. Plankey requested that President Trump remove his nomination to head the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency.
“After 13 months since my initial nomination, it has become clear the Senate will not confirm me,” Mr. Plankey wrote in the letter, a copy of which was obtained by The New York Times. “My wife and young family are owed greater certainty and work-life balance from their husband and father.” Mr. Plankey, who served in various cybersecurity roles in the first Trump administration, added that he supported Mr. Trump’s coming nominee, though he did not identify who that would be.
Politico earlier reported Mr. Plankey’s decision to withdraw.
The move comes as CISA has endured steep cuts as part of the administration’s broader effort to downsize the federal government since Mr. Trump took office. CISA, part of the Department of Homeland Security, plays a central role in coordinating cybersecurity efforts between the government and the private sector. It has long struggled to attract talent, a problem that current and former officials have said has worsened because of the cuts and lack of certainty over who will lead the agency.
Mr. Plankey’s nomination hit a series of roadblocks shortly after Mr. Trump first chose him early last year. Senator Rick Scott, Republican of Florida, had placed a hold on Mr. Plankey, which people familiar with the issue have said was not related to cybersecurity issues.
Both the White House and Mr. Scott’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment about Mr. Plankey’s withdrawal.
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