Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, Apr 4: In a major shakeup of the United States' top security leadership, former President Donald Trump has fired General Timothy Haugh, the head of both the National Security Agency (NSA) and US Cyber Command.

The removal of Gen Haugh, a respected figure within the intelligence community, comes amid what appears to be a broader purge of senior officials at the NSA and the White House National Security Council (NSC). Reports indicate that his deputy, Wendy Noble, was also dismissed.

While no official reason has been provided, the firings follow a meeting between Trump and far-right activist Laura Loomer earlier this week. Loomer, who has been vocal in her criticism of certain federal employees, claimed on X that both Gen Haugh and Noble were “disloyal” to Trump and had therefore been removed.

Trump, speaking aboard Air Force One, confirmed his intention to remove those not aligned with his agenda. “We’re always going to let go of people — people we don’t like or who may have loyalties to someone else,” he said.

Democratic leaders have raised strong objections, with Representative Jim Himes stating he was “deeply disturbed” by the decision. “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,” he said.

CBS also reported that three additional NSC officials — Brian Walsh, Thomas Boodry, and David Feith — were let go on Thursday, though it remains unclear if their exits were directly linked to Gen Haugh’s dismissal.

The shakeup comes just weeks after an embarrassing security lapse in which a journalist was accidentally added to a Signal messaging group discussing US military strikes in Yemen. Gen Haugh was not involved in that incident but testified before Congress regarding the leak. Sources suggest that the episode prompted a broader investigation into staff loyalty.

Trump acknowledged meeting Loomer, calling her a “great patriot” and stating that he often considers recommendations from a range of voices. Loomer, in a statement to the BBC, said she would continue to support Trump’s agenda and emphasized the need for “strong vetting” within the national security ranks.

Meanwhile, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth — who had shared sensitive information on Signal — is now under internal review, while Attorney General Pam Bondi stated the matter is currently being handled within the intelligence agencies.

Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has overseen a sweeping reorganization of federal oversight bodies, replacing many inspectors general and appointing interim heads in several key departments.