President Trump's nominee to lead the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency, Sean Plankey, has withdrawn his nomination after it languished in the Senate for over a year. Plankey, who previously served in cybersecurity roles during Trump's first administration, cited the need for greater certainty for his family in his withdrawal letter to the White House.

The nomination had faced multiple roadblocks since Trump first chose Plankey early last year. Senator Rick Scott, Republican of Florida, placed a hold on the nomination, though sources familiar with the issue said it was unrelated to cybersecurity matters. Plankey's withdrawal comes as CISA has endured significant budget cuts as part of the administration's broader government downsizing efforts.

CISA, part of the Department of Homeland Security, plays a critical role in coordinating cybersecurity efforts between government and private sector entities. The agency has long struggled with talent recruitment, a challenge that current and former officials say has worsened due to budget cuts and leadership uncertainty. Plankey expressed support for Trump's next nominee, though he did not identify who that would be. The withdrawal leaves CISA without permanent leadership during a period of heightened cybersecurity threats and organizational upheaval.