Show-Me State Times

U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) questioned Sean Plankey, President Donald Trump’s nominee for Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), during a Senate hearing on Thursday. The discussion focused on CISA’s approach to online content and its role in protecting critical infrastructure.

During the hearing, Senator Hawley addressed concerns about CISA's involvement in monitoring or influencing online information under the previous administration. “Let me just read some of the euphemisms that your predecessor used to talk about CISA’s mission in the censorship effort: ‘narrative control,’ ‘perception management’—’information integrity’ is my favorite,” Senator Hawley said. “You’re telling me that you’re going to get CISA out of the business of policing ‘narrative control?'” Plankey affirmed his intention to move away from such practices.

Senator Hawley also referred to actions taken by CISA during the Biden administration, which he described as restricting posts related to topics including COVID-19, vaccines, elections, and school-board meetings.

Plankey responded by clarifying his position if confirmed as director. “It is not CISA’s job, and nor is it in its authorities, to censor or determine the truths, whether it be on social media or at any level of media.” He added that he would “like to focus CISA on what it’s mandated to do and that’s protect the federal civilian executive branch, as well as protect the critical infrastructure of the United States.”

The full exchange between Senator Hawley and Sean Plankey can be viewed online.