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BREAKING: Trump has fired Krebs.
Our story coming shortly. https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1328852352787484677
Our story coming shortly. https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1328852352787484677
Here's Krebs' final tweet as CISA director. https://twitter.com/CISAKrebs/status/1328741106624901120
As I reported last week, Trump can also fire CISA's deputy director and now (presumably) acting director, but he can't fire CISA's third-ranking official, the executive director, a career position that Krebs created specifically for a moment like this. https://www.politico.com/news/2020/11/12/cyber-official-chris-krebs-likely-out-436342
After firing Krebs, the president takes credit for work spearheaded by his agency. https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1328856932011167744
In a statement, @SenAngusKing says, "I hope that President-elect Biden will recognize Chris’s contributions, and consult with him as the Biden administration charts the future of this critically important agency."
“By firing Mr. Krebs for simply doing his job, President Trump is inflicting severe damage on all Americans – who rely on CISA’s defenses, even if they don’t know it," King said.
Though Krebs had been expecting to be fired, CISA gave no indication that his position was in jeopardy. Earlier today, a spokesperson alerted reporters to two events that Krebs had planned to do tomorrow.
Krebs tweets from his personal account after being fired by Trump. https://twitter.com/C_C_Krebs/status/1328859222071783424
“The success of the 2020 General Election—in the face of disinformation campaigns and cyber threats from foreign adversaries—is owed in large part to CISA under Chris Krebs’ leadership," @AlexPadilla4CA says in a statement.
Padilla calls Krebs "an accessible, reliable partner for elections officials."
“The ongoing purge of respected, competent leaders who refuse to perpetuate Trump’s delusional conspiracy theories about the election is a disturbing sign for American government."
“The ongoing purge of respected, competent leaders who refuse to perpetuate Trump’s delusional conspiracy theories about the election is a disturbing sign for American government."
Here is our story about Trump firing @C_C_Krebs and the legacy that he leaves behind at CISA. We'll be updating it. https://www.politico.com/news/2020/11/17/trump-fires-dhs-cybersecurity-chief-who-led-election-defense-437174
Krebs tweeted this thread yesterday celebrating his agency's work on the two-year anniversary of Trump signing the bill that created it. https://twitter.com/CISAKrebs/status/1328468598885666816
“Chris Krebs is an extraordinary public servant and exactly the person Americans want protecting the security of our elections," Sen. Mark Warner, top Dem on SSCI, says in a statement. “It speaks volumes that the president chose to fire him simply for telling the truth.”
Former head of the UK's National Cyber Security Centre, who worked closely with Krebs. https://twitter.com/ciaranmartinoxf/status/1328858964826722310
Krebs' Obama-administration predecessor as head of DHS's cyber mission 
https://twitter.com/SpauldingSez/status/1328861860360310790
https://twitter.com/SpauldingSez/status/1328861860360310790
“President Trump is retaliating against Director Krebs and other officials who did their duty,” House Intelligence Chair Adam Schiff said in a statement. “It’s pathetic, but sadly predictable that upholding and protecting our democratic processes would be cause for firing.”
As others have pointed out, we've seen many statements from congressional Democrats expressing dismay at Krebs' firing, but (to my knowledge) we haven't seen anything from Republicans.
A penny for the thoughts of @RepJohnKatko, top R on House Homeland's cyber subcommittee.
A penny for the thoughts of @RepJohnKatko, top R on House Homeland's cyber subcommittee.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar, top D on Senate Rules Committee, which oversees federal elections, calls Krebs' firing "a gut punch to our democracy."
"We need more people like Director Krebs working in government," she says in a statement.
"We need more people like Director Krebs working in government," she says in a statement.
Former SSCI chair Richard Burr becomes the first Republican that I've seen weigh in on Krebs' firing — but he doesn't criticize it. He just praises Krebs and CISA and says "I wish him the best in his next chapter.”
Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) also praises Krebs and seems to say that Trump shouldn't have fired him. https://twitter.com/mkraju/status/1328869639720480769
. @BenSasse becomes the first Republican lawmaker to explicitly criticize Krebs' firing.
"Chris Krebs did a really good job — as state election officials all across the nation will tell you — and he obviously should not be fired," Sasse says in a statement.
"Chris Krebs did a really good job — as state election officials all across the nation will tell you — and he obviously should not be fired," Sasse says in a statement.
Joint statement from House Homeland chair Bennie Thompson and cyber subcommittee chair Lauren Underwood: "The President’s decision to fire Director Krebs makes America less safe. ... We commend Chris Krebs for refusing to cave to political pressure from the White House..."
The White House didn't give CISA any heads-up before Trump fired Krebs, a CISA official tells me.
“It’s unfortunate, but we’re going to keep going," the official said. “We’re going to go to work tomorrow. We’re going to keep doing the same things.”
“It’s unfortunate, but we’re going to keep going," the official said. “We’re going to go to work tomorrow. We’re going to keep doing the same things.”
A U.S. official familiar with the matter also says that CISA hasn't sent any internal communications about Krebs' firing. No goodbye message from Krebs to agency employees yet.
Wonder if we'll still see these White House attacks now that Krebs is out. Wouldn't be surprised if the WH press office feels compelled to say something, given the essentially universal pushback to this move. https://twitter.com/jaketapper/status/1328870846354616320
Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Hoyer are speaking out about Krebs' firing.
Pelosi says it's part of Trump's "dangerous and shameful charade."
Hoyer calls it "dangerous and counterproductive."
Pelosi says it's part of Trump's "dangerous and shameful charade."
Hoyer calls it "dangerous and counterproductive."
Connecticut Secretary of State Denise Merrill (D) says Krebs' firing "is bad for our country’s election cybersecurity, for our national security, and for the goal of free and fair elections untainted by the interference of foreign adversaries."
Biden campaign spokesperson @MichaelJGwin says Krebs "should be commended for his service in protecting our elections, not fired for telling the truth."
The Trump White House is not known for observing any red lines, but I wonder if they saw firing Krebs before the election as one.
It's not like Krebs' dismissal of election-fraud conspiracy theories or his pushback to "Russia hoax" talk is new. https://twitter.com/normative/status/1328879907410243584
It's not like Krebs' dismissal of election-fraud conspiracy theories or his pushback to "Russia hoax" talk is new. https://twitter.com/normative/status/1328879907410243584
GOP lawmaker praises Krebs but doesn't say Trump was wrong to fire him. https://twitter.com/RepRiggleman/status/1328882671779516418
If true, this would throw leadership of CISA to executive director Brandon Wales, a career employee whom Trump cannot fire. https://twitter.com/snlyngaas/status/1328891142415523843
Meanwhile, Krebs, a noted Star Wars fan, retweeted @HamillHimself's assessment that Trump fired Krebs "for refusing to lie" for him.
CISA Deputy Director Matthew Travis appears to be out, per Dustin, adding to CyberScoop's initial report.
Reminder: Trump cannot fire Brandon Wales. But with this administration, you never know what will happen next. https://twitter.com/dnvolz/status/1328895756909096960
Reminder: Trump cannot fire Brandon Wales. But with this administration, you never know what will happen next. https://twitter.com/dnvolz/status/1328895756909096960
The Democratic Association of Secretaries of State thanks Krebs for his service and denounces Trump for firing him.
Trump's "actions are dangerous and only work to weaken our democracy and our national security."
Trump's "actions are dangerous and only work to weaken our democracy and our national security."
Confirming @snlyngaas' scoop: CISA Deputy Director Matthew Travis is leaving. The White House pressured him to resign after firing Krebs, others have reported.
Brandon Wales, a career employee serving as CISA's executive director, will be the agency's acting director now.
Brandon Wales, a career employee serving as CISA's executive director, will be the agency's acting director now.
WaPo reporting that Wolf tried to stop the WH from pushing Travis out. https://twitter.com/nakashimae/status/1328901907667103744
Meanwhile, CISA's Rumor Control page is the fourth most-trafficked federal web page right now. https://analytics.usa.gov/
TIL people love tracking packages.
TIL people love tracking packages.
Meeeemorrriieeess... https://www.c-span.org/video/?454690-1/president-wrote-answers-special-counsels-questions-lawyers https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/remarks-president-trump-signing-h-r-3359-cybersecurity-infrastructure-security-agency-act/
"If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you can possibly imagine." https://twitter.com/C_C_Krebs/status/1328953421882413056
CISA's lead election security adviser says the agency won't be deterred by Trump's purge. https://twitter.com/mastersonmv/status/1328930975347249155
The statement that @PressSec refers to was issued not just by CISA but also by bipartisan groups representing state and county election officials.
There is no dispute among the people who ran this election that it was free of mass voter fraud. https://twitter.com/QuintForgey/status/1329057892981485570
There is no dispute among the people who ran this election that it was free of mass voter fraud. https://twitter.com/QuintForgey/status/1329057892981485570
CISA chief of staff Emily Early to employees after Trump fired Krebs:
"A change in leadership is not a change in mission and it is essential that we do not lose focus on the important work we collectively undertake on behalf of the American people."
https://subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2020/11/cisa-tells-employees-not-to-lose-focus-after-trump-fires-its-director-3985405
"A change in leadership is not a change in mission and it is essential that we do not lose focus on the important work we collectively undertake on behalf of the American people."
https://subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2020/11/cisa-tells-employees-not-to-lose-focus-after-trump-fires-its-director-3985405
Is Hurd (who is retiring) only the second Republican lawmaker to criticize Krebs' firing (after Sasse)? I've seen other statements praising Krebs but not saying it was wrong to fire him. Let me know if I missed any. https://twitter.com/HurdOnTheHill/status/1329082882715893760
Have confirmed that Krebs is no longer speaking at CyberNext DC today, where he was supposed to give the lunch keynote. Former WH cyber official Grant Schneider will speak in his place.
No word yet on Krebs' other appearance, at the Global Security Forum.
No word yet on Krebs' other appearance, at the Global Security Forum.
Belatedly sharing this in case folks were hoping to hear from Krebs at this event. https://twitter.com/GSECForum/status/1329077675537833986
Krebs responds to anonymous DHS official who said ( https://twitter.com/CBS_Herridge/status/1329102095849455616) that CISA exceeded its mandate by ruling out fraud (which is not what the agency said). https://twitter.com/C_C_Krebs/status/1329113778592641024
This ... definitely ~feels~ like a criticism of Trump, but it's certainly not explicit. https://twitter.com/mkraju/status/1329103677798424576
My colleagues @AndrewDesiderio and @burgessev add another critical Republican senator to the mix: Mitt Romney, who told them that firing Krebs was a "terrible mistake." https://www.politico.com/news/2020/11/18/republicans-denounce-trump-krebs-cybersecurity-437716
Katko chooses the Burr "I wish him well" route for Krebs, declining to criticize or even disagree with his firing. https://twitter.com/RobertHarding/status/1329144708468191233
Here's acting CISA Director Brandon Wales' first message to staff.
He reiterates that their mission remains the same and points out that election assistance continues this cycle.
"For as long as I am in this position," he says, "we will maintain a laser focus on our mission..."
He reiterates that their mission remains the same and points out that election assistance continues this cycle.
"For as long as I am in this position," he says, "we will maintain a laser focus on our mission..."
New: My profile of Acting CISA Director Brandon Wales, described by 7 current+former colleagues as the perfect person to take charge right now.
Wales, a 15-yr veteran of DHS cyber, "is one of the smartest people I’ve ever worked with," said @bsware.
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/11/18/cisa-krebs-brandon-wales-437861
Wales, a 15-yr veteran of DHS cyber, "is one of the smartest people I’ve ever worked with," said @bsware.
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/11/18/cisa-krebs-brandon-wales-437861
Sample of how colleagues described Wales:
* "the most even-handed guy you’re ever going to meet"
* "even-keeled, level-headed, and very intelligent and supremely capable"
* "a great, smart person and well-respected."
* "the most even-handed guy you’re ever going to meet"
* "even-keeled, level-headed, and very intelligent and supremely capable"
* "a great, smart person and well-respected."
Here's a snapshot of Wales' DHS career. He's been there for all the big cyber incidents. As a top adviser to multiple Trump DHS secretaries & acting secs, he helped fend off WH demands.
Even helped Nielsen run her own "ghost NSC" mtgs on election security after WH ignored her.
Even helped Nielsen run her own "ghost NSC" mtgs on election security after WH ignored her.
Wales returned to CISA in December 2019. In June, Krebs made him the executive director and made it clear that he was "next in line."
As the election approached, Ware helped prepare him to take over and thinks he's ready for "a very difficult couple of months."
Others agreed.
As the election approached, Ware helped prepare him to take over and thinks he's ready for "a very difficult couple of months."
Others agreed.
(Love to mess up very important thread!)
