WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has unexpectedly dismissed the director of the National Security Agency (NSA), as reported by U.S. officials and congressional members. However, the White House and the Pentagon have not provided any explanations for this action.
On Thursday, senior military officials were made aware of the termination of Air Force Gen. Tim Haugh, who also led the Pentagon’s Cyber Command. The officials indicated that they had no prior notification regarding the decision to remove a four-star general, who has had a 33-year career in intelligence and cyber operations. This information was shared under the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of personnel matters.
The firing has sparked strong backlash from Congress, with calls for an immediate clarifying statement. This action represents the latest in a series of dismissals of national security personnel by Trump, especially at a time when his Republican administration faces criticism for not addressing the use of an unclassified Signal messaging chat by other key leaders, which included The Atlantic Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg, to discuss plans for a military strike.
READ MORE: Pentagon watchdog to review Hegseth’s sharing of Houthi strike plans in Signal chat
It remains uncertain who now assumes command of the NSA and Cyber Command.
In addition, Haugh’s civilian deputy at the NSA, Wendy Noble, was also dismissed.
The NSA informed congressional leadership and senior lawmakers from national security committees about the firing late Wednesday, but did not provide any reasons. According to a source familiar with the situation, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, Noble has been reassigned to the office of the defense undersecretary for intelligence.
The White House has not responded to requests for comment. The NSA directed inquiries regarding Haugh to the Defense Department, which also did not respond to questions about his termination or provide further details.
Sean Parnell, the Pentagon’s chief spokesman, stated in a press release, “The department extends its gratitude to Haugh for 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 the best.”
Far-right activist and commentator Laura Loomer claimed credit on Friday via a post on X, stating she had raised concerns to Trump about Haugh’s connections with Gen. Mark Milley and the Biden administration, questioning the NSA chief’s loyalty to the president. Milley served as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during Trump’s initial term but has become a well-known critic since then.
“Given that the NSA is arguably the most powerful intelligence agency in the world, we cannot allow a Biden nominee to hold that position,” Loomer remarked. “Thank you, President Trump, for being open to the vetting materials I provided and for removing these Biden holdovers.”
READ MORE: Trump to fire several national security officials over concerns regarding their loyalty to his agenda, AP reports
Loomer, who has claimed that the September 11 attacks were an “inside job,” discussed personnel loyalty with Trump during a meeting in the Oval Office on Wednesday, according to multiple sources, who spoke under anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the personnel matter. The following day, Trump announced he had dismissed “some” officials from the National Security Council.
Rep. Jim Himes, the ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, sent a letter to Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth seeking clarification regarding the firings of Haugh and Noble.
“Public reports indicate that your decision to remove these officials was influenced by a fringe social media personality, which represents a deeply troubling breach of the norms that protect our national security structure from political pressure and conspiracy theories,” Himes, D-Conn., wrote.
Sen. Jack Reed, a Democrat from Rhode Island, indicated on Friday that he has consistently warned about the risks associated with dismissing military officers as a measure of political loyalty.
“Alongside the other military leaders and national security officials Trump has fired, he is sending a chilling message within military ranks: do not provide your best military advice, or you may face repercussions,” Reed stated. He added that Trump “has presented a valuable gift to China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea by eliminating competence from our national security leadership.”
Another Democrat, Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, remarked that the U.S. is “confronting unprecedented cyber threats” and questioned how Haugh’s dismissal, after over 30 years of military service, contributes to the safety of America.
Haugh’s termination initiates a 60-day process. If he is not assigned to another three- or four-star position within that time, he will automatically revert to a two-star rank.
However, it is unlikely that he will be offered a new high-level position since that would require a nomination from Trump, who has just dismissed him. Consequently, Haugh, who was unanimously confirmed by the Senate for the NSA position in December 2023, would probably retire.
Trump has not commented on the terminations of Haugh or Noble, but on Thursday, he characterized the National Security Council dismissals as routine.
“We are continually letting people go,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One as he traveled to Miami on Thursday afternoon. “Individuals we don’t approve of or who we believe aren’t fit for the job, or those who may have loyalties elsewhere.”
The recent firings occur as Trump’s national security adviser, Mike Waltz, is facing pressure to resign after reportedly using the publicly available encrypted Signal app to discuss planning for a sensitive military operation aimed at Houthi militants in Yemen.
Warner noted it was “astonishing” that Trump would dismiss the nonpartisan, experienced leader of the NSA while failing to hold any team member responsible for leaking classified information through a commercial messaging app, especially considering he seems to be taking staffing advice on national security from a discredited conspiracy theorist in the Oval Office.
Last month, Haugh met with Elon Musk, whose Department of Government Efficiency has disrupted the federal government by cutting personnel and budgets across numerous agencies. The NSA stated that the meeting aimed to ensure both organizations are “aligned” with the new administration’s priorities.
Haugh had been at the helm of both the NSA and Cyber Command since 2023, with both departments playing crucial roles in national cybersecurity efforts. The NSA also aids the military and other national security agencies by gathering and analyzing vast amounts of global data and information.
Cyber Command serves as America’s first line of defense in cyberspace and conducts offensive cyber operations against potential adversaries.
Associated Press writers Matthew Lee, Aamer Madhani, Zeke Miller, David Klepper, and Lou Kesten in Washington contributed to this report.
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