Palantir exec nominated to lead CISA; lame-duck Senate vote is uncertain

President Donald Trump has nominated the chief information officer of Palantir to lead the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, potentially marking a turning point for an organization that has endured massive staff cuts and years of Republican attacks in recent years.

The president selected Michael LoSapio on Monday as the next head of the top civilian cyber defense agency, which has been without a Senate-confirmed leader since Trump returned to the Oval Office. A previous nominee, Sean Plankey, withdrew from consideration earlier this year after spending months in limbo on Capitol Hill; Nick Andersen has led CISA in an acting capacity since February.

The Homeland Security Department’s cyber wing lost more than 1,000 personnel — one-third of its workforce — and has seen its budget slashed by billions during the second Trump administration, following years of GOP complaints that its efforts to combat online disinformation during elections singled out conservative voices and infringed upon free speech rights.

As a result, CISA remained largely behind the scenes ahead of last week’s midterm elections. However, a spokesperson said the organization “provided voluntary, no-cost services” like  vulnerability scanning ahead of Election Day and activated its Incident Coordination Group to serve as a threat information sharing hub.

It is unclear if the Senate will take up LoSapio’s nomination during the already jam-packed lame duck session of Congress, with lawmakers looking to approve a must-pass government funding measure and the annual defense policy bill, among other priorities.

Should lawmakers adjourn next month without approving his nomination, Trump would have to nominate LoSapio again next year for consideration by the incoming Democratic majority. A spokesperson for Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), the chair of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

If the nomination is resubmitted next year, LoSapio could face increased scrutiny due to his role at Palantir, a software and artificial intelligence company with ties to the Trump administration. LoSapio joined the firm in 2017, leading its infrastructure and network security group before becoming CIO in late 2024, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS), who is expected to retake the reins of the House Homeland Security Committee, has signaled he plans to conduct thorough oversight of all DHS components, including CISA.