House Democrat demands written explanation for ouster of NSA director

Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.) is demanding that the Trump administration provide a written explanation of its rationale for firing the director of the National Security Agency (NSA) alongside its deputy.

Director Gen. Timothy Haugh was ousted late Thursday along with his civilian deputy Wendy Noble, a decision that followed the firing of several top national security staffers earlier that day.

Trump fired at least three senior staffers and two junior officials at the White House National Security Council (NSC) — a day after meeting with far-right activist Laura Loomer. She argued that some within the NSC are not sufficiently loyal to his agenda.

“Public reporting suggests that your removal of these officials was driven by a fringe social media personality, which represents a deeply troubling breach of the norms that safeguard our national security apparatus from political pressure and conspiracy theories. The notion that senior leadership at critical agencies protecting our nation could be dismissed based on the whims of an online influencer is chilling and demands immediate clarification,” Himes wrote to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.

Himes asked for a “written public explanation” on the two firings.

“Given the critical importance of these positions to our national security and the rash nature of the dismissals, the public and your congressional overseers require a clear explanation of the rationale and circumstances behind these decisions,” he wrote.

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence did not immediately respond to request for comment, nor did the NSA. The Defense Department said it would respond directly to lawmakers.

Haugh, who also leads the U.S. Cyber Command, has more than 30 years experience in the U.S. Air Force and led numerous cyber operations to counter efforts from Russia and other U.S. adversaries. 

Loomer, a far-right activist who has promoted conspiracy theories about 9/11, called the two NSA leaders disloyal and described both as “Biden holdovers” despite years of public service under presidents of both parties.

“NSA Director Tim Haugh and his deputy Wendy Noble have been disloyal to President Trump. That is why they have been fired,” she wrote on the social platform X.