White House confirms Sean Cairncross as new cyber office leader

The Senate confirmed Sean Cairncross in a 59-35 vote to lead the White House's cyber office. Cairncross is a longtime party official who also served as CEO of the Millennium Challenge Corporation during Trump's first term. His new job is leading the Office of the National Cyber Director (ONCD)—an appointment made despite concerns from lawmakers over his thin resume in the field.

Stacking the deck: His confirmation makes him the latest addition to the administration's new cybersecurity lineup. The team already includes new heads at the National Security Council and the FBI.

Dominate the domain: He defended his lack of direct experience during his confirmation hearing, arguing past leadership roles put him on the "user side" of fending off foreign cyberattacks. In a statement, Cairncross signaled an aggressive posture, saying the U.S. "must dominate the cyber domain" under President Trump's leadership.

The bottom line: Cairncross now inherits an office that spearheaded major initiatives under the Biden administration. He alone decides which of those high-profile projects will live or die.

Reading Recap:

• See the official Senate confirmation record

• How the confirmation fits into the broader administration

• What projects the new cyber director inherits

• Read key exchanges from his confirmation hearing

The wider view: Cairncross’s confirmation is just one piece of a larger puzzle, as the nomination for the head of CISA remains on hold in the Senate. His office also faces long-term challenges, as the GAO has recommended the national cyber director lead preparations for quantum computing threats. The appointment also aligns with a broader White House cyber team that is reportedly stocked with proponents of "hacking back."