General Timothy Haugh, director of the National Security Agency (NSA) and head of US Cyber Command, was fired, along with his civilian deputy, Wendy Noble. The dismissals came after far-right activist Laura Loomer advocated for their removal during a meeting with President Donald Trump, citing disloyalty to the president.
Loomer claimed that Haugh's selection by former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley, was the primary reason for her call for his dismissal. Milley had his security clearance revoked earlier by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for perceived disloyalty. No official reasons were given for Haugh and Noble's dismissal, leaving several officials confused and concerned.
The unexpected firing raised concerns amongst high-ranking officials in both the House and Senate Intelligence Committees. Senator Mark Warner and Representative Jim Himes expressed their deep concern about the removal of a highly regarded cyber professional, especially in the context of escalating cyber threats, as seen in the recent Salt Typhoon cyberattack. Both described the dismissal as potentially damaging to national security and questioned the implications of such actions.
The acting NSA director is now Lt. Gen. William J. Hartman, while Sheila Thomas serves as acting deputy. The firings remain controversial, leaving unanswered questions surrounding the motivations and potential long-term effects on national security.