The Trump administration has dismissed General Timothy Haugh, the head of the National Security Agency (NSA) and U.S. Cyber Command, according to multiple reports on Friday. Haugh, a career military official, had been in his role for just over a year after being appointed in February 2024. His departure leaves uncertainty over who currently oversees these critical national security agencies.
The Washington Post and The New York Times reported that the firings followed a meeting between President Donald Trump and right-wing activist Laura Loomer, who advocated for the removal of Haugh and several other national security officials.
NSA Deputy Director Wendy Noble, the agency’s top civilian leader, was also dismissed. Neither the White House nor the Department of Defense (DoD) has provided an official reason for the removals. A DoD spokesperson stated they had “nothing to offer at this time” but would share updates when available.
The decision has drawn sharp criticism from lawmakers. Senator Mark Warner (D-VA), vice-chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, called Haugh’s firing “astonishing,” questioning how removing a key intelligence leader improves national security amid ongoing cyber threats like the Chinese state-sponsored Salt Typhoon attacks.
Warner also condemned the administration for dismissing Haugh while failing to hold officials accountable for sharing classified information about airstrikes in Yemen via the Signal messaging app—an incident that inadvertently included a journalist.
House Intelligence Committee Chairman Jim Himes (D-CT) expressed deep concern over Haugh’s removal.
In March, The Wall Street Journal reported that Elon Musk, head of the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency, met with Haugh at NSA headquarters. Musk previously called for an “overhaul” of the agency, though he did not provide specifics. The impact of Haugh’s dismissal on national security operations remains unclear.
