President Donald Trump fired NSA Director General Timothy Haugh and reassigned Deputy Director Wendy Noble, raising national security concerns amidst ongoing cyber threats from foreign adversaries.
Quick Takes
- General Timothy Haugh, who led both the NSA and U.S. Cyber Command, was dismissed by President Trump under circumstances that remain unclear.
- Top Democrats on intelligence committees expressed alarm over the firing of career officials with decades of service across multiple administrations.
- Conservative activist Laura Loomer claimed credit for the removals, calling the officials “Biden holdovers” despite their long service under both Republican and Democratic administrations.
- The dismissals come amid heightened concerns about cyber threats, including the recent Salt Typhoon cyberattack from China.
- The firings follow a pattern of leadership changes influenced by far-right figures in the Trump administration.
High-Profile Dismissals at National Security Agency
President Donald Trump has fired General Timothy Haugh from his dual roles as Director of the National Security Agency and Commander of U.S. Cyber Command. The Washington Post first reported the dismissals, which included the reassignment of NSA Deputy Director Wendy Noble to the office of the undersecretary of defense for intelligence. While the White House National Security Council has not commented on the matter, the removal of these top intelligence officials has sent ripples through the national security community and raised questions about the administration’s approach to cyber defense.
General Haugh’s career in military service spanned over three decades, with particular focus on cyber and intelligence operations. He played a pivotal role in protecting U.S. elections from foreign interference, notably countering Russian threats during the 2018 midterm elections. Haugh and Noble are both career officials who have served under multiple administrations from both political parties, raising concerns about potential political motivations behind their sudden removal from these critical national security positions.
Gen. Tim Haugh, the chief of the National Security Agency, was fired at the direction of the White House, according to people familiar with the matter https://t.co/vgG9hKxYcb
— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) April 4, 2025
Concerns from Intelligence Committee Leadership
Top Democrats on congressional intelligence committees have voiced serious concerns about the implications of these dismissals for national security. Senator Mark Warner, chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, described Haugh’s firing as “astonishing” given the current landscape of cyber threats facing the nation. Warner specifically referenced the recent Salt Typhoon cyberattack from China as evidence of the heightened threat environment, questioning how removing experienced leadership would enhance American security.
Representative Jim Himes, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, echoed these sentiments, calling for an immediate explanation for Haugh’s dismissal. Himes emphasized the general’s reputation for honesty and commitment to national security, suggesting these very qualities might have contributed to his removal. Former senior intelligence official Larry Pfeiffer characterized the dismissals as “unprecedented,” highlighting the unusual nature of removing career officials with decades of nonpartisan service.
Political Influences Behind the Dismissals
Reports indicate that activist Laura Loomer, described by some as a far-right conspiracy theorist, may have influenced the decision to remove these officials. Senator Warner referenced a list of allegedly disloyal National Security Council staff members that Loomer reportedly presented to President Trump. While an undisclosed number of NSC employees were subsequently dismissed, Trump has denied Loomer’s involvement in these firings. Nevertheless, Loomer publicly claimed credit for the removals on social media. “Thank you President Trump for being receptive to the vetting materials provided to you, And thank you for firing these Biden holdovers,” wrote Loomer.
The firings follow recent developments including Elon Musk’s visit to the NSA and his subsequent comments about the agency needing an overhaul. NBC News reported that Trump also fired three National Security Council officials after meeting with Loomer. These actions reflect ongoing tensions between career national security officials and political appointees within the administration, reviving concerns about politically motivated restructuring of intelligence agencies similar to efforts during Trump’s first term.
Sources:
National Security Agency Director Gen. Haugh fired, civilian deputy director reassigned
National Security Agency chief and deputy director dismissed
Trump Fires General Timothy Haugh, Head of the National Security Agency and US Cyber Command
