The Trump administration has dismissed General Timothy Haugh from his position as director of the National Security Agency (NSA) and commander of U.S. Cyber Command, according to reports from The Washington Post.
Haugh, a career Air Force leader with over 30 years of military service, was appointed to lead the NSA by President Biden in February 2024. His civilian deputy at the NSA, Wendy Noble, was also removed and reassigned to the Department of Defense.
Lt. Gen. William J. Hartman has been named acting NSA director, with Sheila Thomas serving as his deputy.
Top Democratic lawmakers expressed strong concerns about the dismissals. Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chairman Mark Warner questioned the timing of Haugh's removal, citing ongoing cyber threats from China, particularly the recent Salt Typhoon cyberattack.
Representative Jim Himes, ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, called for "an immediate explanation" for the decision, stating it "makes all of us less safe."
The changes follow recent upheaval in U.S. cybersecurity leadership, including the dismissal of over 130 employees from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). A federal judge later ordered the reinstatement of many of these workers.
The White House and NSA have not responded to requests for comment on Haugh's dismissal. The firing reportedly came after a White House meeting involving far-right activist Laura Loomer, who had urged President Trump to remove Haugh from his position.
As NSA director, Haugh led efforts to protect America from cyber warfare while also conducting offensive cyber operations against adversaries. The NSA specializes in signals intelligence and electronic surveillance worldwide.