Overview
- Politico reported that acting CISA director Madhu Gottumukkala did not pass a late-July counterintelligence polygraph tied to access for a tightly controlled intelligence program.
- DHS publicly countered that no sanctioned exam was failed, calling the test unauthorized and asserting that policies guided subsequent personnel actions.
- At least six career employees who helped coordinate or approve the exam received Aug. 1 letters suspending their classified access and were placed on paid leave on Aug. 4 pending an investigation.
- Current and former officials described confusion over who authorized the test and whether the acting director needed the access, noting an initial June request was denied and a second was approved in early July.
- Anonymous officials cited by Politico criticized Gottumukkala’s leadership and morale inside CISA, as Sean Plankey continues awaiting Senate confirmation to lead the agency permanently.