WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark Warner (D-VA), Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ranking Member of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, sent a letter to Howard Lutnick, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce, raising concerns about reports that the Trump administration dismissed or forced out senior national security officials responsible for countering China’s intelligence and cyber attacks against American technology and communication systems.

“We write to express concern about reports that you have dismissed or forced out key national security officials who were working to counter China’s intelligence and cyber threats against American technology supply chains and communications infrastructure,” wrote the senators. 

The Commerce Department’s Office of Information and Communications Technology and Services (OICTS) serves as a critical line of defense against foreign technology threats, with authority to investigate, restrict, or ban foreign-linked technologies that could be used for espionage or to disrupt critical infrastructure. According to public reporting, Elizabeth Cannon, the office’s executive director, resigned following pressure from senior Trump officials. Cannon’s resignation was received shortly after one of her deputies was placed on administrative leave.

In the letter, the senators warn that the loss of leadership at the agency risks undermining the nation’s ability to defend against cyber-enabled threats from China and raises serious questions about whether the Administration is sidelining national security professionals to avoid confronting Beijing. The senators also noted that the work of this crucial office has stalled under Secretary Lutnick’s tenure with two anticipated rules – one regulating connected trucks and buses, and another regulating Chinese drones – that have not materialized.

They continued, “Diminishing OICTS, and now pushing out its leadership, sends a clear signal that truly standing up to China is not a priority of this Administration. These developments are also part of a troubling pattern of actions that weaken the U.S. response to threats from foreign adversaries.”

Warren and Warner are demanding detailed answers from the Commerce Department, including who ordered the dismissals, who is currently leading OICTS, and whether investigations or rulemakings have been delayed as a result. The senators requested a response from Secretary Lutnick by March 4, 2026. 

“Americans deserve to have leaders who will stand up for them against foreign threats—not sideline the very professionals charged with that mission. We urge you to put Americans’ national security first and reinstate professional leadership at OICTS,” the senators concluded.