Trump nominates Palantir security chief Michael LoSapio to lead the US cyber agency CISA
CISA has had no Senate-confirmed director for all of Trump's second term after first pick Sean Plankey withdrew in April; Palantir's ties to the Department of Homeland Security could draw resistance as Democrats prepare to take over Congress.
Why it matters
CISA is the agency that defends US civilian government networks and coordinates with critical-infrastructure operators, and it has been run by acting leaders throughout Trump's second term. Picking the chief information security officer of Palantir, a major government AI and data contractor, puts a company insider in charge of the federal body that oversees cyber defence across agencies. Republicans control the Senate until January and a lame-duck session has begun, but the calendar is crowded. Watch whether he gets a hearing before the new Congress and whether Democrats such as Ron Wyden place holds on the nomination.
Key facts
- Nominee: Michael LoSapio, Palantir's chief information security officer
- Nominated on Monday 9 November
- CISA has had no Senate-confirmed director in Trump's second term
- First pick Sean Plankey withdrew in April
- Acting director: Nick Andersen
- Republicans control the Senate until January