US media stated that Thursday’s firing of the chief of covert US spy agency the National Security Agency (NSA) was related.
US officials reportedly mentioned in the Washington Post claimed General Timothy Haugh was sacked following less than a year of employment.
The Post further noted that the authorities did not explain why Haugh was removed.
Head of the Pentagon’s cyberwarfare division, US Cyber Command, Haugh was also in charge of both offensive and defensive cyber activities.
The Post reported that his NSA deputy Wendy Noble was also let go and sent to another post at the Pentagon.
Largest and most covert signals intelligence agency of the US government is NSA.
The Pentagon delayed answering AFP’s call for comments.
Previously holding a series of high-profile government cybersecurity jobs, including commander of the elite Cyber National Mission Force, Haugh, appointed in February 2024,
Reacting to the announcement, Democratic Congressman Jim Himes claimed that Haugh’s sacking really concerned him.
In a statement released on X, he stated, “I have known General Haugh to be an honest and forthright leader who followed the law and put national security force,.”
“I worry those are exactly the traits that might cause him to be let go in this Administration.”
Since assuming office in January, US President Donald Trump has significantly rearranged the command of the military forces.
In February, Trump sacked top US military officer General Charles “CQ” Brown without providing any justification less than two years into Brown’s four-year term as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Just months into his second term, his government is supervising massive layoffs of federal employees and efforts to destroy government institutions.
Acting NSA chief and deputy William J Hartman from US Cyber Command and NSA executive director Sheila Thomas have been assigned.
