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Ex-CISA boss Chris Krebs quits cyber security firm after Trump’s executive order pulled the security clearance and questioned Krebs’ comments on the 2020 election.
SentinelOne’s chief intelligence and public policy officer, Chris Krebs, has decided to walk away from his role at the company in light of a growing feud with the Trump administration.
“It’s with a heavy heart that I’m announcing I’ll be stepping away from SentinelOne, effective immediately,” Krebs wrote in a 16 April farewell letter to the company’s staff.
“I want to be clear: this is my decision, and mine alone.”
Earlier in the month, Krebs had his security clearance revoked via a presidential memorandum, with President Donald Trump referring to Krebs as “a wiseguy” and “a disgrace”. Trump also said he wanted to see an investigation stood up into Krebs’ time as the head of the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).
Krebs was fired by Trump via a Twitter post in 2020, after CISA called the 2020 presidential election “the most secure in American history”. Krebs continued to push back against claims that the election was rigged and that Trump had actually won, and attacks against his own conduct as CISA chief.
“I am not going to be intimidated by these threats from telling the truth to the American people,” Krebs said in an op-ed published in The Washington Post soon after his firing. He is now vowing to continue that fight.
In his farewell letter, Krebs said that he had immediately contacted SentinelOne’s CEO, Tomer Weingarten, when news of his revoked clearance broke.
“I told him what I firmly believe: this is my fight, not the company’s, and I offered my resignation,” Krebs said.
“For those who know me, you know I don’t shy away from tough fights. But I also know this is one I need to take on fully – outside of SentinelOne. This will require my complete focus and energy. It’s a fight for democracy, for freedom of speech, and for the rule of law. I’m prepared to give it everything I’ve got.”
Krebs went on to express “deep gratitude” to the SentinelOne team and said his erstwhile team was “redefining what is possible in cyber security”.
“As for me – don’t worry, I’m right where I need to be. And to quote the great Kevin Kinney of Drivin’ N Cryin’: ‘Everything’s gonna be alright …’.” Krebs said.
“This isn’t a goodbye forever – just for now. We’ll find our way back to each other.”
David Hollingworth has been writing about technology for over 20 years, and has worked for a range of print and online titles in his career. He is enjoying getting to grips with cyber security, especially when it lets him talk about Lego.
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