Senators Question Removal of Officials Focused on Chinese Threats

Senators Warren and Warner press Commerce Secretary on departure of key national security leaders

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Two Democratic senators have asked the U.S. Commerce Department to explain why it removed an official and her deputy whose office had effectively barred nearly all Chinese cars from entering the U.S. market on national security grounds. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Mark Warner expressed concern that diminishing the office and pushing out its leadership sends a signal that standing up to China is not a priority for the administration.

Why it matters

The office in question was responsible for efforts to bolster U.S. cyber defenses in response to cyberattacks and investigate threats to the supply chain from foreign adversaries like China. The loss of these officials strips the office of the leadership and expertise required to defend the U.S. against escalating national security and cyber threats.

The details

Reuters reported that Elizabeth Cannon, the executive director for Information and Communications Technology and Services, had agreed to resign in January. This office was created in 2022 to investigate threats to the supply chain from foreign adversaries. The senators said the work of the office, along with probes of other Chinese issues and telecoms, has stalled under Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick's tenure.

  • In January 2026, Elizabeth Cannon agreed to resign as executive director of the office.
  • The office was created in 2022 to investigate threats to the supply chain from foreign adversaries.

The players

Elizabeth Warren

A Democratic senator from Massachusetts.

Mark Warner

A Democratic senator from Virginia.

Howard Lutnick

The U.S. Commerce Secretary.

Elizabeth Cannon

The former executive director for Information and Communications Technology and Services at the U.S. Commerce Department.

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What they’re saying

“Diminishing the office 'and now pushing out its leadership, sends a clear signal that truly standing up to China is not a priority of this administration.'”

— Elizabeth Warren and Mark Warner, U.S. Senators (Reuters)

What’s next

The senators have pressed Commerce Secretary Lutnick to answer questions about the removal of the officials and the status of the office's work on countering Chinese threats.

The takeaway

This case highlights concerns from lawmakers about the administration's commitment to addressing national security threats from China, particularly in the areas of cybersecurity and supply chain vulnerabilities. The departure of key officials overseeing these efforts raises questions about the prioritization of this critical work.