Ex-Trump cyber official leaves private sector role to fight DOJ probe
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Former CISA Director Chris Krebs speaking at an Axios event in Washington in February. Photo: Kristoffer Triplaar on behalf of Axios.
Chris Krebs, a top cybersecurity official in the first Trump administration, is leaving his role at SentinelOne to focus on fighting the new government investigation into his time in public service.
Why it matters: Krebs made the announcement in an interview with the Wall Street Journal, his first since President Trump opened a probe into Krebs' time leading the country's top cybersecurity agency.
Catch up quick: Last week, Trump revoked all of Krebs' remaining security clearances and ordered the Justice Department investigation. The president also suspended any security clearances held by SentinelOne employees.
- The move is a direct response to Trump's year-long grudge against Krebs, who was in charge when CISA released a statement calling the 2020 election the "most secure in American history."
Zoom in: In an email to employees that SentinelOne published on its site, Krebs said he was leaving his role to focus on fighting Trump's attacks.
- SentinelOne CEO Tomer Weingarten said in a note to the company that Krebs "carries our full respect with him as his journey continues."
- Alex Stamos, who founded the Krebs Stamos Group with Krebs before selling their business to SentinelOne, said in a LinkedIn post on Wednesday that the attacks on Krebs' family "should be publicly condemned by any American who believes in the Constitution as the guiding document of our country."
- The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The big picture: Trump's investigation of Krebs is just the latest in his attacks on his perceived political enemies.
- On his first day back in office, Trump revoked security clearances for 51 former intelligence officials.
- He has also revoked security clearances for several Big Law firms and forced them to negotiate which cases they'll take as a condition for getting those clearances reinstated.
- Security clearances are required to work on classified government issues. Without them, companies can't bid for certain contracts and lawyers can't work on various cases.
What to watch: It's unclear how Krebs plans to fight back and whether he is planning to file a lawsuit.
- Miles Taylor, an ex-DHS official who Trump is also investigating, told WSJ that "how we respond will set the tone inevitably for how others targeted by these EOs decide to respond."
Go deeper: Trump's overflowing grudge list
Editor's note: This story has been updated with a statement from SentinelOne.
