Washington DC [US]: General Timothy Haugh, the head of the United States’ National Security Agency (NSA) and Cyber Command, has been removed from his position, according to a report by The Washington Post on Friday. The report cites sources including two current and one former US official.
Alongside Haugh’s dismissal, Wendy Noble, his civilian deputy at the NSA, was also let go, the officials revealed.
Haugh had held dual roles as the head of US Cyber Command and the director of the NSA since February 2024. Wendy Noble, the deputy director, was the senior civilian leader at the agency.
The removal of Gen. Haugh has drawn strong reactions from lawmakers, particularly Representative Jim Himes of Connecticut. As the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, Himes expressed deep concern over the decision.
“I am deeply disturbed by the decision to remove General Haugh as Director of the National Security Agency. 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 said in a statement.
He went on to add, “The Intelligence Committee and the American people need an immediate explanation for this decision, which makes all of us less safe.”
The removal of such a high-ranking official has raised questions about the leadership and direction of the NSA and US Cyber Command at a time of increasing cybersecurity threats. Further clarification from the US government is expected in the coming days.