President Donald Trump fired Air Force General Timothy Haugh from his leadership roles at the U.S. Cyber Command and the National Security Agency. Haugh’s dismissal comes after he had held the position for just over a year, well before completing his traditional three-year term. This decision could signal broader changes in the U.S. military’s digital warfighting organization and the world’s largest spy agency. Additionally, Wendy Noble, the NSA’s deputy chief, was reassigned to a new role in the Pentagon’s Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence.
The reason behind Haugh’s sudden removal remains unclear, with the Pentagon providing no immediate comment. In the interim, Army Lt. Gen. William Hartman, the No. 2 at Cyber Command, will take over leadership of both organizations. Sheila Thomas will assume Noble’s previous role as executive director of the NSA. These leadership changes have added to the ongoing upheaval within the U.S. national security apparatus, following previous firings, including that of Gen. CQ Brown Jr. as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Critics, including Senator Mark Warner, have questioned the timing and reasoning behind the move, especially amid escalating cyber threats. Warner expressed concern about the lack of accountability for security leaks while criticizing the firing of a nonpartisan, experienced leader like Haugh. The Salt Typhoon cyberattack from China, which targeted U.S. telecom companies, highlighted the rising cyber risks, intensifying concerns about Haugh’s dismissal. Warner also pointed to the broader national security issues raised by Trump’s staffing decisions and his apparent reliance on controversial figures like Laura Loomer.
Haugh’s firing comes amid reports of internal tensions within the Trump administration. The national security community was further shaken by the firing of several National Security Council staffers after Loomer’s visit to the White House. Haugh, who was nominated by President Biden and confirmed in December 2023, had also faced scrutiny over leaked classified information during high-level discussions about military operations. His dismissal raises important questions about the future of U.S. cybersecurity leadership and the effectiveness of the nation’s response to emerging global cyber threats.
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