Sources: US political appointees at CISA blocked Acting Director Madhu Gottumukkala's attempt to remove the agency's chief information officer, Robert Costello
The personnel spat began late last Thursday afternoon after Costello was given a so-called management-directed reassignment …
Acting CISA chief sought ouster of agency's chief information officer — Other senior political appointees at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency were not happy about the move, and they ultimately helped undo it. — www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
“Another former senior DHS official with knowledge of fallout at CISA last week said the effort to remove Costello was particularly alarming to CISA staff because Costello is seen as one of the agency's top remaining technical talents.” [embedded post]
Chaos reigns at CISA. Acting Director Gottumukkala attempts to fire CIO Robert Costello but gets overruled by DHS brass. This failed palace coup confirms a fractured command structure. With a third of the workforce gone, the agency isn't just bleeding talent; it's fighting ove…