{"id":78553,"date":"2025-04-04T14:03:55","date_gmt":"2025-04-04T14:03:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2025\/04\/04\/democrats-protest-firing-of-general-heading-nsa-us-cyber-command\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T15:55:06","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T15:55:06","slug":"democrats-protest-firing-of-general-heading-nsa-us-cyber-command","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/pentagon-congress\/2025\/04\/04\/democrats-protest-firing-of-general-heading-nsa-us-cyber-command\/","title":{"rendered":"Trump fires 4-star general heading NSA, US Cyber Command"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Editor\u2019s note: This story has been updated.<\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n

President Donald Trump has abruptly fired the director of the National Security Agency, according to U.S. officials and members of Congress, but the White House and the Pentagon have provided no reasons for the move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Senior military leaders were informed Thursday of the firing of Air Force Gen. Tim Haugh<\/a>, who also oversaw the Pentagon\u2019s Cyber Command, the officials said. They received no advance notice about the decision to remove a four-star general with a 33-year career in intelligence and cyber operations, according to the officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss personnel decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The move has triggered sharp criticism from members of Congress and demands for an immediate explanation. And it marks the latest dismissal of national security officials by Trump at a time when his Republican administration faces criticism over his failure to take any action against other key leaders\u2019 use of an unclassified Signal messaging chat<\/a> that included The Atlantic Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg to discuss plans for a military strike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s unclear who now is in charge of the NSA and the Cyber Command.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also fired was Haugh\u2019s civilian deputy at the NSA, Wendy Noble.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The NSA notified congressional leadership and top lawmakers of the national security committees of the firing late Wednesday but did not give reasons, according to a person familiar with the situation who insisted on anonymity to discuss the matter. The person said Noble has been reassigned to the office of the defense undersecretary for intelligence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The White House did not respond to messages seeking comment. The NSA referred questions about Haugh to the Defense Department. The Pentagon did not respond to questions about why he was fired or provide other details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sean Parnell, the chief Pentagon spokesman, would only say, in a statement, that the department thanks Haugh \u201cfor his decades of service to our nation, culminating as U.S. Cyber Command Commander and National Security Agency Director. We wish him and his family well.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Far-right activist and commentator Laura Loomer<\/a> appeared to take credit Friday in a post on X, saying she raised concerns to Trump about Haugh\u2019s ties to Gen. Mark Milley<\/a> and the Biden administration and questioned the NSA chief\u2019s loyalty to the president. Milley served as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during Trump\u2019s first term but has since become an outspoken critic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGiven the fact that the NSA is arguably the most powerful intel agency in the world, we cannot allow for a Biden nominee to hold that position,\u201d Loomer wrote. \u201cThank you President Trump for being receptive to the vetting materials provided to you and thank you for firing these Biden holdovers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Loomer, who has claimed the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks were an \u201cinside job,\u201d had discussed staff loyalty with Trump in an Oval Office meeting Wednesday, according to several people familiar with the situation who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive personnel manner. A day later, Trump said he fired \u201csome\u201d White House National Security Council officials.<\/p>\n\n\n\t