The former head of CISA, Chris Krebs, resigns from his position at SentinelOne after being subject to an executive order signed by Donald Trump that investigates him and revokes his security credentials.
Chris Krebs, former director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) during the Trump administration, has announced his resignation as head of intelligence and public policy at SentinelOne. This decision comes just days after former President Trump signed an executive order directing the Department of Justice to investigate Krebs and suspend any security clearance associated with him and affiliated companies like SentinelOne.
The measure, which has generated deep unease in the cybersecurity sector, is part of a broader offensive by the current Trump administration against former officials who, like Krebs, publicly challenged the narrative of electoral fraud in 2020. It was Krebs who, after the vote count, stated that it had been “the most secure election in American history,” which led to his immediate dismissal via a presidential tweet.
In a statement published on SentinelOne’s website and on LinkedIn, Krebs noted that this battle is personal: “For those who know me, I don’t shy away from tough fights. But I also know that this is one I must fight completely, outside SentinelOne.” He added that his decision was made independently and communicated to the company’s CEO beforehand.
His message concluded with a Latin phrase that has become a symbol of resilience in difficult times: “Illegitimi non carborundum”, which could be translated as “don’t let the bastards grind you down.”
Retaliation and Political Context
The executive order signed on April 9 not only initiates an investigation against Krebs but also requires federal agencies to revoke any active security clearance of individuals associated with him, including employees of SentinelOne. The company has stated it will cooperate with any necessary review and assured that fewer than ten of its employees require such clearances, so it does not expect a significant impact on its operations.
This escalation of political pressure reflects a trend in Trump’s second term: to silence or discredit those who questioned his legitimacy, particularly in the realm of cybersecurity and election protection. CISA, under Krebs’s leadership, actively participated in tracking and reporting misinformation campaigns related to the 2020 elections, the COVID-19 pandemic, and other controversial issues, which provoked outright rejection from numerous Republican lawmakers.
Krebs: Between Foreign Sanctions and Internal Retaliation
In statements to the Wall Street Journal, Krebs expressed his bewilderment at the attacks coming from his own government: “The last time I was subject to sanctions, it was by Russia. Now, I find myself effectively sanctioned by my own country.”
Kristi Noem, current Secretary of Homeland Security and a key figure in the new direction of CISA, was present during the signing of the order. Trump justified it by stating that “the election was seriously manipulated” and called Krebs “a know-it-all.”
While many technology companies remain silent in the face of growing political pressure, Krebs has chosen to confront head-on what he views as a threat to the integrity of national cybersecurity. His departure from SentinelOne could mark the beginning of a new phase, not only for him but for the debate about the independence of security experts from political interference.
“It’s not a personal issue; it’s a matter of principle,” concluded Krebs.
Source: Nextgov