Pierluigi Paganini
April 04, 2025
President Donald Trump this week fired Air Force Gen. Timothy Haugh, who served as the head of U.S. Cyber Command and the National Security Agency. Gen. Haugh’s was fired just over a year into a typical three-year term. Intelligence experts warn that the decision could significantly impact national security. Trump also fired Haugh’s deputy, Wendy Noble.
Army Lt. Gen. William Hartman, Cyber Command’s deputy, will serve as acting head of both Cyber Command and NSA.
CBS reported that a director for intelligence, Brian Walsh, a senior director for legislative affairs, Thomas Boodry, and a senior director overseeing technology and national security, David Feith, were also fired.
The decision came right after President Trump met with far-right activist Laura Loomer, who urged him to fire staff she views as politically disloyal.
“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 Loomer wrote on X. “Why would we want an NSA Director who was referred to Biden after being hand selected by Milley, who told China he would side with them over Trump!?!?”
NSA Director Tim Haugh and his deputy Wendy Noble have been disloyal to President Trump. That is why they have been fired.
— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) April 4, 2025
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… pic.twitter.com/SFXmog5b44
Top Democrats on the House and Senate intelligence committees revealed Gen. Haugh’s firing to CBS, with Rep. Jim Himes saying he was “deeply disturbed” by the move, BBC reported.
“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,” Himes explained.
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 on the chat, he testified about the incident, which may have influenced the dismissals. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is under review for his role in the Signal chat.
Mark Warner of Virginia, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, was disappointed with the Trump’s decision.
It is astonishing that President Trump would fire the nonpartisan, experienced leader of the NSA while still failing to hold any member of his team accountable for leaking classified information on a commercial messaging app – even as he apparently takes staffing direction on…
— Mark Warner (@MarkWarner) April 4, 2025
“General Haugh has served our country in uniform, with honor and distinction, for more than 30 years. At a time when the United States is facing unprecedented cyber threats, as the Salt Typhoon cyberattack from China has so clearly underscored, how does firing him make Americans any safer?” Warner said.
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