Trump fires NSA director, deputy

President Donald Trump on Thursday removed National Security Agency head Gen. Timothy Haugh and his civilian deputy, Wendy Noble, from their positions, The Washington Post first reported. Haugh had served in the military for about 30 years and also led U.S. Cyber Command.

The president also reportedly fired at least five National Security Council aides.

Why were Haugh and Noble fired? The NSA notified congressional leadership of the firings late Wednesday but did not give reasons for the move, according to an anonymous official who spoke to the Associated Press.

Commentator and activist Laura Loomer appeared to take credit for the Haugh and Noble firings in several posts on X. She said she met with Trump at his request to present her research on security officials’ backgrounds. Loomer said Haugh was fired because he was handpicked for his position by retired Gen. Mark Milley. The Pentagon recently stripped Milley of his security clearance after Trump accused him of treason for calls to Milley’s Chinese counterpart, the BBC reported.

Trump on Friday told reporters he sometimes listens to Loomer’s recommendations, but he went on to deny that Loomer had anything to do with the NSA firings. Loomer said she would continue vetting government officials and presenting her findings to Trump.

How did Democrats react? House Intelligence Committee Ranking member Jim Himes, D-Conn., on Thursday released a statement condemning Haugh’s firing. Himes said that the decision made Americans less safe and that Haugh was a good leader who followed the law and put national security first.

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