Trump Axes NSA Chief At Laura Loomer’s Request

Donald Trump has fired the director of the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA), The Washington Post has reported—marking the latest in a series of dismissals at the agency following the president’s meeting with far-right activist Laura Loomer, Steffie Banatvala reported for The Independent.

Gen. Haugh’s dismissal has been called “alarming.” I Photo: U.S. Air Force

Democrats protested the firing of NSA Director Gen. Timothy Haugh and his deputy, Wendy Noble, Lou Kesten reported for the Associated Press (AP). 

Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), vice chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said, “Gen. Haugh has served our country in uniform, with honor and distinction, for more than 30 years. At a time when the U.S. is facing unprecedented cyber threats… how does firing him make Americans any safer?”

Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said he was “deeply disturbed by the decision to remove General Haugh as NSA director,” Josh Meyer also reported for USA Today.

Loomer told The Washington Post that she asked Trump to fire Haugh because he had been "handpicked" by Gen. Mark A. Milley, who was Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in 2023 when Haugh was nominated.

Milley had his security clearance and detail revoked in January following accusations of disloyalty to Trump.

Renée Burton, a cybersecurity expert with two decades of experience at the NSA, called Gen. Haugh’s dismissal “alarming,” CNN also reported. “The NSA’s mission is vast and extremely complicated.”

BBC and CBS reported that the dismissal has appalled the military establishment and caused an uproar within the intelligence community, as it demonstrated that Trump places a premium on rumors—especially those spread by his close associates.