WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The White House’s acting national cyber director has been told in recent weeks that she will not be considered for a permanent position because of personal debt issues that would make it difficult to confirm, a source said. source familiar with the matter.
Kemba Walden, acting director since mid-February, has the endorsement of Democrats and Republicans as well as her predecessor, former National Cyber Director Chris Inglis.
White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients had praised Walden – one of the few black women leaders in a profession dominated by white men – for showing “excellent leadership” when she took her duties in February.
As acting director, Walden oversaw the deployment of the administration’s national cyber strategy and implementation plan.
A U.S. official, who did not wish to be named, told Reuters in a statement that the vetting process is designed to assess whether a candidate has issues that would prove disqualifying in a Senate confirmation process.
“Everything is done with the ultimate goal of getting someone confirmed.”
The administration has struggled to push through candidates this year, including Biden’s pick for Labor Secretary Julie Su, and has had to withdraw several candidates since March.
White House spokeswoman Emilie Simons said Walden “demonstrated strong leadership in overseeing the Office of the National Cybersecurity Director (ONCD)”.
“The Biden-Harris administration — and the American people — greatly appreciate the vision and service of Acting Director Walden…” Simons said.
Simons did not comment on Walden’s personal debt issues and why she would not be considered for the role.
The Washington Post was the first to report this story. Walden confirmed to the newspaper that she recently withdrew from consideration for the nomination, but declined to comment further.
Walden did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
(Reporting by Nandita Bose in Washington, editing by Franklin Paul)