Trump Administration Fires NSA Chief, Sparking Concern Over Security Purge

The Trump administration has dismissed General Timothy Haugh, the head of the National Security Agency (NSA) and U.S. Cyber Command, as part of what appears to be a broader shake-up of senior security officials.

The firing, reported by CBS News, comes amid growing concerns over the future direction of the agency and the White House’s security strategy.

The decision has raised alarm among Democrats, some of whom warn that it could pose risks to national security. While the reasons for General Haugh’s removal remain unclear, it follows a meeting between President Donald Trump and far-right activist Laura Loomer. Loomer is said to have pressured Trump to remove certain staff members she accused of disloyalty to his administration. On social media, Loomer claimed that both General Haugh and his deputy, Wendy Noble—who reports indicate was also dismissed—had been “disloyal” to the President.

Despite these claims, President Trump denied that Loomer had any influence on the firings. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump stated, “We’re always going to let go of people – people we don’t like or people who may have loyalties to someone else.” He also dismissed any suggestion that Loomer played a role in the dismissals, asserting, “No, not at all.”

Before the news of General Haugh’s firing, Trump had indicated that he would not hesitate to remove staff members considered disloyal. The purge seems to have extended beyond the NSA, with several other officials at the White House National Security Council (NSC) reportedly dismissed after Trump’s meeting with Loomer. Though Trump did not confirm the names, sources have identified Brian Walsh, a director for intelligence; Thomas Boodry, a senior director for legislative affairs; and David Feith, a senior director overseeing technology and national security as among those removed.

The NSA has directed the BBC to the Office of the Secretary of Defense Public Affairs for comment. In a statement, the office acknowledged the reports but offered no further details at this time, adding that more information would be shared when available. The White House, in turn, declined to comment on personnel matters.

Democratic leaders on the House and Senate intelligence committees have expressed their dismay over Haugh’s firing. Representative Jim Himes and Senator Mark Warner both voiced concerns, with Himes calling the move “deeply disturbing” and questioning whether Haugh’s commitment to national security was a factor in his dismissal.

The firings come on the heels of a significant controversy last month involving the NSC, when senior officials accidentally included a journalist in a Signal messaging thread about military operations in Yemen. General Haugh, who was not part of the conversation, testified before Congress about the leak last week. However, it remains unclear if this incident had any influence on the firings.

Despite the turmoil, President Trump has continued to stand by National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, who accepted responsibility for the Signal messaging error, calling it a mistake.