Trump’s CISA nominee to exit Coast Guard role, but still in running to lead cyber agency

Sean Plankey, nominee to be director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, testifies during his Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee confirmation hearing on Thursday, July 24, 2025. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency is leaving the Department of Homeland Security, where he has most recently been serving as an advisor in the U.S. Coast Guard, multiple people familiar with the matter told Nextgov/FCW and Defense One. 

Sean Plankey is still expected to remain the nominee to lead CISA, said three of the people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss details of his departure. He is expected to leave the Coast Guard this week, one of the people said. Two other people familiar with the matter also said he’s expected to get an award ceremony in the ...