President Trump Dismisses U.S. Cyber Command and NSA Chief

TL;DR

President Trump has dismissed Gen. Timothy Haugh, the head of U.S. Cyber Command and the NSA, along with several other officials. The decision could have significant implications for national security and follows a controversial Signal chat incident.

President Trump Dismisses U.S. Cyber Command and NSA Chief

President Donald Trump has fired Air Force Gen. Timothy Haugh, who served as the head of U.S. Cyber Command and the National Security Agency (NSA). The dismissal comes just over a year into Haugh’s typical three-year term, raising concerns among intelligence experts about potential impacts on national security. Additionally, Haugh’s deputy, Wendy Noble, was also relieved of her duties¹.

Immediate Appointments and Additional Dismissals

Army Lt. Gen. William Hartman, the deputy of Cyber Command, will serve as the acting head of both Cyber Command and the NSA. The dismissals also included several other high-ranking officials:

• Brian Walsh, director for intelligence.
• Thomas Boodry, senior director for legislative affairs.
• David Feith, senior director overseeing technology and national security².

Controversial Decision and Political Influence

The decision to fire these officials came shortly after President Trump met with far-right activist Laura Loomer. Loomer had urged the president to dismiss staff she viewed as politically disloyal. In a statement on X, Loomer criticized Haugh and Noble, asserting that their alleged disloyalty warranted their removal³.

“NSA Director Tim Haugh and his deputy Wendy Noble have been disloyal to President Trump. That is why they have been fired. As a Biden appointee, General Haugh had no place serving in the Trump admin given the fact that he was HAND PICKED by General Milley, who was accused of committing treason by President Trump.” — Laura Loomer⁴

Reactions from Congress

Top Democrats on the House and Senate intelligence committees have expressed concern over the dismissals. Rep. Jim Himes described the move as “deeply disturbing,” highlighting Haugh’s integrity and commitment to national security. Sen. Mark Warner also criticized the decision, noting the critical role of the NSA in addressing cyber threats such as the Salt Typhoon cyberattack from China⁵.

“I have known General Haugh to be an honest and forthright leader who followed the law and put national security first — I fear those are precisely the qualities that could lead to his firing in this Administration.” — Rep. Jim Himes⁶

Controversy Surrounding the Signal Chat Incident

The recent firings follow a controversy where a journalist was mistakenly added to a Signal chat about U.S. military strikes in Yemen. Although Gen. Haugh was not involved in the chat, his testimony about the incident may have influenced the dismissals. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is currently under review for his role in the Signal chat incident⁷.

Conclusion

The dismissal of Gen. Timothy Haugh and other high-ranking officials by President Trump raises significant concerns about national security and the political climate within the administration. As the U.S. faces unprecedented cyber threats, the stability and leadership of key agencies like the NSA and Cyber Command are crucial for maintaining the country’s defensive capabilities.

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Additional Resources

For further insights, check:

• Cyber Command Abilities
• BBC Report on the Firings

References

1. (2025). “President Trump fired the head of U.S. Cyber Command and NSA”. Security Affairs. ↩︎

2. (2025). “President Trump fired the head of U.S. Cyber Command and NSA”. Security Affairs. ↩︎

3. (2025). “President Trump fired the head of U.S. Cyber Command and NSA”. Security Affairs. ↩︎

4. Loomer, Laura (2025). “Tweet”. X. ↩︎

5. Warner, Mark (2025). “Tweet”. Twitter. ↩︎

6. (2025). “President Trump fired the head of U.S. Cyber Command and NSA”. Security Affairs. ↩︎

7. (2025). “President Trump fired the head of U.S. Cyber Command and NSA”. Security Affairs. ↩︎