SCOOP: National Security Adviser John Bolton and his aides are considering eliminating the White House's top cybersecurity job: subscriber.politicopro.com/cybersecurity/…
Several sources say the situation is fluid, but one says it's a done deal.
The White House did not deny my story when I asked.
Several sources say the situation is fluid, but one says it's a done deal.
The White House did not deny my story when I asked.
.@RobJoyce45's last day as WH cyber coordinator is Friday.
Bolton and his deputy, Mira Ricardel, are discussing the idea of her taking over supervision of the National Security Council's cyber team.
Bolton, per one sources, is not very interested in the nuances of cyber policy.
Bolton and his deputy, Mira Ricardel, are discussing the idea of her taking over supervision of the National Security Council's cyber team.
Bolton, per one sources, is not very interested in the nuances of cyber policy.
"There’s a serious concern on the [NSC] right now, particularly the [cyber team], of what the fate of their directorate is moving forward," one former official told me.
The source described morale on the team as "low."
The source described morale on the team as "low."
Meanwhile, one of Joyce's deputies on the NSC cyber team has spent months trashing him and now wants to replace him when he leaves (see our earlier reporting: politico.com/newsletters/mo…).
Sources told me they were worried that he'd now be the de facto team leader.
Sources told me they were worried that he'd now be the de facto team leader.
The White House's discussion of eliminating the cyber coordinator job follows Bolton pushing out Tom Bossert, Trump's homeland security adviser, who had supervised Joyce's team.
Joyce is leaving in part over frustrations with Bolton's approach to running the NSC, sources said.
Joyce is leaving in part over frustrations with Bolton's approach to running the NSC, sources said.
Joyce was widely respected as cyber coordinator. Aggressively called out Russia, North Korea, and Iran for their cyberattacks. Kept a cool head and earned respect from his team.
He spent almost 30 years at the NSA before joining the White House. He's going back to the NSA now.
He spent almost 30 years at the NSA before joining the White House. He's going back to the NSA now.
.@MeganStifel told me that, if the WH eliminated the cyber coordinator job, it would be a huge problem for govt-wide planning and operations.
“Left to their own devices, the agencies will likely put themselves, their interests, and their authorities above others,” she said.
“Left to their own devices, the agencies will likely put themselves, their interests, and their authorities above others,” she said.
Toward the end of his administration, Obama created a cyber commission tasked with recommending ways to improve the U.S.'s approach.
One recommendation: Promoting the cyber coordinator to be on par with the national security adviser.
nist.gov/document/cyber…
One recommendation: Promoting the cyber coordinator to be on par with the national security adviser.
nist.gov/document/cyber…
"Given the complexities of the issues that we face in cyberspace ... you're going to have to have somebody that's focused on dealing with those issues at the White House level," @CyAlliancePrez, who was Obama's second and final cyber coordinator, told me.
A former U.S. official told me that Bolton's team told NSC cyber staffers not to even recommend names for Joyce's successor.
"Everyone was a little on pins and needles when they heard that."
"Everyone was a little on pins and needles when they heard that."
Politico Pro readers can click through to read my full story, with more news, context, and history about the cyber coordinator role: subscriber.politicopro.com/cybersecurity/…
Scoop from me, now available for all to read:
Bolton pushing to eliminate White House cyber job: politico.com/story/2018/05/…
Bolton pushing to eliminate White House cyber job: politico.com/story/2018/05/…
