Trump Fires National Security Agency Head

Changes in Leadership at the NSA and Cyber Command

Reports surfaced on Friday indicating that Timothy Haugh, who held the positions of director of the National Security Agency (NSA) and commander of U.S. Cyber Command, has been removed from his posts by the Trump administration.

Haugh's Tenure and Responsibilities

Appointed in February 2024, following the retirement of his predecessor, Haugh had served as the head of the NSA – the nation’s primary agency for signals intelligence and wiretapping – for just over a year. He simultaneously led Cyber Command, the military branch responsible for conducting offensive cyber operations against adversarial nations.

Circumstances Surrounding the Dismissal

According to both The Washington Post and The New York Times, the decision to terminate Haugh’s employment followed advocacy from right-wing activist Laura Loomer. Loomer reportedly urged President Donald Trump to dismiss Haugh, alongside other national security officials, during a meeting held in the Oval Office on Thursday.

Additional Personnel Changes

Alongside Haugh, Wendy Noble, the NSA’s deputy director and top civilian leader, was also reportedly relieved of her duties.

Official Responses

When contacted for a statement, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly directed inquiries to the Department of Defense, which oversees the NSA. Eddie Bennett, a spokesperson for the National Security Agency, offered a similar response.

A Department of Defense spokesperson, speaking on background, confirmed awareness of the reports but stated that no further information was currently available. They indicated that a more comprehensive statement would be released as soon as possible.

Interim Leadership Appointments

The NSA subsequently confirmed that Lt. Gen. William J. Hartman will assume the role of acting director for both the NSA and Cyber Command. Sheila Thomas, a seasoned intelligence professional, has been appointed as the acting deputy director of the NSA.

Lawmaker Reactions

The removal of a key intelligence leader appears to have taken senior members of Congress by surprise.

Senator Mark Warner, a Democrat representing Virginia and the vice chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, described the news as “astonishing.” He emphasized General Haugh’s three decades of dedicated service to the country.

Warner questioned the rationale behind the firing, particularly in light of the escalating cyber threats facing the United States, citing the recent Salt Typhoon cyberattack originating from China. He asked how this action enhances national security.

Further Criticism of the Administration

Warner also voiced criticism regarding the Trump administration’s continued lack of accountability for the unauthorized sharing of classified information concerning air strikes in Yemen. This information was disseminated through a Signal messaging group, inadvertently including a journalist.

House Intelligence Committee Response

Congressman Jim Himes, the Democratic chair of the House Intelligence Committee, expressed being “deeply disturbed” by the decision to remove Haugh from his position.

Previous Interactions with Elon Musk

In March, The Wall Street Journal reported a meeting between Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency, and Timothy Haugh at the NSA headquarters in Fort Meade, Maryland. The NSA stated at the time that the meeting was intended to align the agency’s priorities with those of the Trump administration.

Musk had previously advocated for a significant “overhaul” of the intelligence agency, though he did not elaborate on specific changes.

This article has been updated to include confirmation of the acting head from the NSA.