Former CISA Chief Jen Easterly Criticizes “Manufactured Outrage” Following West Point Departure
Jen Easterly, the widely respected former Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), has broken her silence following her unexpected departure from her role as Professor of Practice at the United States Military Academy at West Point. Easterly has strongly criticized what she describes as “manufactured outrage” orchestrated by certain political factions, which she believes contributed to her abrupt termination.
The Register reported on July 31, 2025, that Easterly’s position at West Point, where she was expected to impart her extensive knowledge of cybersecurity and national security to future military leaders, was suddenly ended. The reasons for her dismissal have not been officially elaborated upon by West Point or the Department of Defense.
However, in her public statements, Easterly pointed a finger directly at what she termed “MAGA-aligned” individuals and groups. She alleges that these entities deliberately manufactured a controversy around her presence at the esteemed institution. While specific details of the alleged controversy remain somewhat veiled, Easterly’s comments suggest that her views or perceived political leanings, rather than her professional qualifications or the content of her instruction, were the subject of undue criticism.
Easterly, who served as CISA Director from August 2021 to July 2023, is a highly decorated and experienced national security professional. During her tenure, she was instrumental in bolstering the nation’s cyber defenses against a growing array of threats, earning significant praise from across the political spectrum for her expertise and leadership. Her appointment to West Point was seen by many as a valuable opportunity to bring real-world, cutting-edge cybersecurity insights to the cadets.
The former CISA chief’s candid remarks highlight a broader concern about the politicization of educational institutions and the potential for partisan attacks to undermine the integrity of academic appointments, particularly in sensitive fields like national security and cybersecurity. Easterly’s strong defense of her own position and her critique of what she labels as manufactured outrage suggest a commitment to upholding principles of meritocracy and intellectual freedom against what she perceives as politically motivated interference.
The incident raises questions about the vetting processes for faculty at military academies and the extent to which external political pressures might influence institutional decisions. As Easterly herself noted, the goal of her role at West Point was to educate and prepare the next generation of military leaders, a mission she believes was jeopardized by what she described as baseless and politically driven opposition. Her departure is likely to be a subject of continued discussion within national security and academic circles.
Ex-CISA chief slams MAGA ‘manufactured outrage’ after sudden West Point firing
AI has delivered the news.
The answer to the following question is obtained from Google Gemini.
The Register published ‘Ex-CISA chief slams MAGA ‘manufactured outrage’ after sudden West Point firing’ at 2025-07-31 23:17. Please write a detailed article about this news in a polite tone with relevant information. Please reply in English with the article only.