#Gen. Timothy D. Haugh

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Matt Gertz at MMFA:

President Donald Trump’s abrupt apparent removal of the general who oversaw U.S. Cyber Command and the National Security Agency at the reported behest of the MAGA influencer Laura Loomer, a notorious bigot and conspiracy theorist, is a five-alarm fire for national security and good governance. The move demonstrates that the only qualification for service in the administration is personal loyalty to the president as determined by his most zealous sycophants. Top Democrats on the House and Senate intelligence committees said on Thursday night that Gen. Timothy D. Haugh had been removed from his positions as director of the NSA and head of the military’s Cyber Command. According to The New York Times, “a U.S. official briefed on the matter said Laura Loomer, a far-right activist and outside adviser to President Trump, called for General Haugh’s removal during her Oval Office meeting on Thursday. Mr. Trump ordered Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to fire General Haugh, the official said.” Loomer subsequently appeared to take credit, writing on X that Haugh and his deputy had been “fired” because they were “disloyal to President Trump” and thanking the president “for being receptive to the vetting materials provided to you.” She gave no evidence of Haugh’s purported disloyalty in her post — nor any critique of his service in his positions — instead criticizing him as “a Biden appointee” who “had no place serving in the Trump admin given the fact that he was HAND PICKED by” former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mark Milley.  Haugh is not the only apparent casualty of Loomer’s efforts. His seeming removal comes amid a firestorm caused by the revelation that Hegseth had provided precise details about an imminent U.S. military strike in Yemen in a Signal messaging group of top Trump officials assembled by national security adviser Mike Waltz, a move experts said endangered the lives of U.S. service members.  Waltz and Hegseth still remain in their posts — but as that story continued to metastasize, Loomer met with Trump in the Oval Office and provided him “with opposition research on [National Security Council] staffers whom she views as neoconservatives or not sufficiently loyal to the president.” The White House purged at least six NSC staffers following that meeting.

Donald Trump gets reckless advice from Laura Loomer to dismiss members of his national security team, including Gen. Timothy D. Haugh.

See Also:

The Guardian: Who is Laura Loomer, the far-right influencer behind national security firings?

The Status Kuo (Jay Kuo): Loomered

[reading-writing-revolution]

General Haugh was ousted because Laura Loomer, a far-right wing conspiracy theorist and Trump adviser, had accused him and his deputy of disloyalty, according to U.S. officials and Ms. Loomer’s social media post early Friday. He was one of several national security officials fired this past week on her advice.

“I predict you are going to see some nonsense statement about some policy difference or something General Haugh wasn’t doing, but we all know what happened,” said Senator Angus King, a Maine independent who is on the intelligence and armed services committees. “Laura Loomer said it. She is the one who told Trump to fire him.”

[ivankahasbeentreatedsounfairly]

The New York Times

By Jonathan SwanMaggie Haberman and Ken Bensinger

Reporting from Washington

April 4, 2025, 6:03 p.m. ET

Laura Loomer had President Trump’s full attention.

Sitting directly across from the president in the Oval Office, Ms. Loomer, the far-right agitator and conspiracy theorist, held a stack of papers that detailed a litany of accusations about “disloyal” members of the National Security Council. The national security adviser, Michael Waltz, had arrived late and could only watch as Ms. Loomer ripped into his staff.

Fire them, Mr. Trump instructed Mr. Waltz, according to people with knowledge of the meeting on Wednesday. The president was furious and demanded to know why these people had been hired in the first place.

The events of Wednesday and Thursday, with more than a half-dozen national security officials fired on the advice of Ms. Loomer, unsettled even some veteran Trump officials. But the situation perfectly encapsulates Mr. Trump’s longtime penchant for soliciting information from dubious sources. The difference now, in Mr. Trump’s second term, is that he has fewer people around him who try to keep those voices away.

In a social media post on Friday, Ms. Loomer explained why two of the people who lost their jobs this week were on her list. Gen. Timothy D. Haugh, the head of the National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command, had been chosen by Gen. Mark Milley, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, whom Ms. Loomer called a traitor. And General Haugh’s deputy, Wendy Noble, was close to James Clapper, a former director of national intelligence and fierce critic of Mr. Trump.

People close to General Haugh said he did not know how he ended up in Ms. Loomer’s cross hairs. He was traveling in Japan when the Pentagon told him that his “services would no longer be needed,” without any further explanation, according to two former U.S. officials.

White House officials did not respond to questions about the meeting. In a statement, the White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, said: “President Trump has assembled a great team of people who work tirelessly to better our country. As we have always said, and the president maintained last night when speaking with reporters on Air Force One, he continues to have confidence in Mike Waltz and his national security team.”

During Mr. Trump’s first term, some aides, in particular John F. Kelly, the former Marine general who was the president’s longest-serving chief of staff, spent a large portion of their days blocking off people they described as “the crazies.”

But by the end of 2020, those efforts had entirely broken down. Mr. Trump had fired his gatekeepers, or they had resigned in disgust, and a parade of fringe figures had easy access to the Oval Office.

People eager to feed into his belief that the November presidential race had been stolen from him had freewheeling access to Mr. Trump in the final weeks of his first term. They included Mike Lindell, the chief executive of MyPillow, and Sidney Powell, a former federal prosecutor who spread wild conspiracy theories about foreign interference in the 2020 election.

With Mr. Trump now more confident in his executive power and instincts and bolstered by a team that shares his sense of persecution, there is no pretense that he can be controlled or managed. The door to the Oval Office is wide open and seated just outside it is Natalie Harp, a former far-right television presenter who lives in the internet’s fever swamps and is deeply devoted to the president.

Ms. Loomer was not alone with the president during the meeting on Wednesday. Also in the room at various points were Vice President JD Vance; Susie Wiles, the chief of staff; Howard Lutnick, the commerce secretary; and Sergio Gor, the head of presidential personnel. At some point, they were joined by Representative Scott Perry of Pennsylvania, a congressman who, like Ms. Powell and Mr. Lindell, was a key player in Mr. Trump’s efforts to cling to power after his 2020 loss.

Mr. Perry was appointed months ago to the House Intelligence Committee, giving him a level of visibility into intelligence and activities in Mr. Trump’s government, including inside some of the agencies under discussion in the meeting.

But while Mr. Perry is an elected lawmaker, Ms. Loomer, who twice ran unsuccessfully for Congress, is the kind of blunt-force operative that Mr. Trump has been drawn to since 1973, when he hired Roy M. Cohn, first as a lawyer and then as a mentor and fixer.

Ms. Loomer calls Roger J. Stone Jr., another of Mr. Cohn’s acolytes and Mr. Trump’s longest-serving political adviser, her mentor. But while Mr. Stone had worked for mainstream political candidates over several decades and Mr. Cohn was close with top levels of business and political elites, Ms. Loomer, just 31, had operated entirely on the fringes until Mr. Trump’s first presidency. And in her version of political warfare, nothing is out of bounds.

During the 2024 Republican primary contest, when she was arguably Mr. Trump’s most aggressive online advocate, she floated the baseless conspiracy theory that the wife of his rival, Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida, had faked her breast cancer.

Mr. Trump and some in his orbit view Ms. Loomer as a talented researcher, capable of finding dirt others cannot, or will not, excavate. And Mr. Trump has long liked having allies who are willing to lob attacks that even he might consider too risky, allowing the president to distance himself.

Ms. Loomer has fashioned herself as a loyalty enforcer from outside the administration, but she has solid enough relationships inside to be added to Mr. Trump’s calendar for a meeting. Several weeks ago, she incorporated an opposition research firm called Loomered Strategies, and frequently posts information on social media to discredit and question the loyalty of people working for Mr. Trump.

Recently, she has focused on targeting judges who have opposed Mr. Trump and named several administration staff members she insisted were subversive or didn’t belong there.

In the days before the meeting — originally scheduled for Monday but moved when she couldn’t get to Washington in time — Ms. Loomer had posted about several N.S.C. aides she insisted needed to be removed. Shortly after, the N.S.C. began sending some of those people back to their home agencies.

Typically, in previous administrations, the N.S.C. staff does not go through the presidential personnel vetting process that other aides do. But in this iteration of the Trump White House, N.S.C. staff members were vetted by administration officials. One hire was stopped midway through the hiring process when Mr. Trump’s personnel team discovered the person had been somewhat critical about the pro-Trump riot at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

But the intense focus on who is deemed “loyal” and who isn’t has been a factor since the transition. The criteria are often confusing, with senior officials sending mixed messages in public and private.

On Thursday, Ms. Loomer defended Mr. Gor on the social media site X, saying, “Sergio is 100% correct to implement LOYALTY OATHS. Leave Sergio alone!”

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Thursday, the president insisted that Ms. Loomer had nothing to do with the firings. But he also said, “She makes recommendations of things and people, and sometimes I listen to those recommendations.”

Reached by phone in Los Angeles on Friday morning, Ms. Loomer advocated even more dismissals.

“In my opinion President Trump should re-evaluate his entire National Security Council,” she said as she prepared for a deposition of the TV host Bill Maher. Ms. Loomer sued the comedian for defamation in October, because of remarks he had made on air about her relationship with Mr. Trump.

She added that “if the president still has confidence in Michael Waltz’s ability to be an effective N.S.C. director, then Michael Waltz needs to either take a course on vetting or learn to do a better job at vetting.”

[thxnews]

Cyber Command Leadership Transfers to Air Force General

In a significant ceremony at Fort Meade, Maryland, the leadership of the U.S. Cyber Command was officially passed from Army Gen. Paul M. Nakasone to Air Force Gen. Timothy D. Haugh. This pivotal moment, overseen by Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks and Director of National Intelligence Avril D. Haines, marks a new chapter for one of the nation's key defense institutions. The event, rich in military tradition and significance, also saw Gen. Haugh stepping into the role of director of the National Security Agency and chief of the Central Security Service.  

Army Gen. Paul M. Nakasone speaks after turning over command in the Cyber Command leadership transition. Photo by Strategic Command. DOD.  

The Ceremony's Significance

The change of command took place against the backdrop of the Shannon Kent Conference Center. This center is named after a Navy senior chief cryptanalyst who made the ultimate sacrifice in Syria in 2019. This setting underscored the gravity and dedication inherent in these roles. It also emphasized the ongoing commitment to national security and defense. Deputy Secretary Hicks and Director Haines lauded the accomplishments of Gen. Nakasone, who has led Cyber Command through times of growing cyber threats and technological advancements. His tenure was marked by a strategic vision that has significantly strengthened the nation's cybersecurity posture.   Cyber Command's Ongoing Mission Under the constant threat from nation-states and hackers alike, Cyber Command plays a critical role in securing United States military operations worldwide. Furthermore, with a mission that spans the globe, including space, the command operates tirelessly to defend and secure the nation's cyber domain. Furthermore, the partnership between Cyber Command, the NSA, other government agencies, and international allies is a cornerstone of the United States' defense strategy, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in the digital age.   Looking Forward Gen. Haugh steps into his new role with a wealth of experience in intelligence and cyber fields. Furthermore, his vision for the future of Cyber Command and the NSA centers on people, innovation, and partnerships. He firmly believes that these elements are key to maintaining and enhancing America's security and technological edge.   Key Takeaways for Our Audience This Cyber Command leadership transition signifies more than a ceremonial passing of the flag; it represents a commitment to adapting and evolving in response to the dynamic challenges of cybersecurity and national defense. For young Americans interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), the careers and missions of Cyber Command and the NSA offer inspiring examples of service and innovation. Moreover, as these organizations continue to excel in cryptology, signals intelligence, and cybersecurity, we cannot overstate the importance of teamwork, technological advancement, and strategic international cooperation. The work done here is vital not only to national security but also to preserving the freedoms and way of life cherished by Americans.   Sources: THX News & US Department of Defense. Read the full article

[georgemcginn]

Cyber Command Flag Passed to Air Force General at Fort Meade Ceremony

View Online Cyber Command Flag Passed to Air Force General at Fort Meade Ceremony Feb. 3, 2024 | By Jim Garamone Leaders from the Defense Department and intelligence community gathered at Fort Meade, Maryland, yesterday for the change of command ceremony of U.S. Cyber Command, as Army Gen. Paul M. Nakasone passed the flag to Air Force Gen. Timothy D. Haugh. Haugh also became the director of the…

[ivankahasbeentreatedsounfairly]

The New York Times

April 3, 2025

Julian E. Barnes

The head of the National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command was removed from his job on Thursday, according to the top Democrats on the congressional intelligence committees.

Senator Mark Warner of Virginia and Representative Jim Himes of Connecticut condemned the ouster of Gen. Timothy D. Haugh, who led both the spy agency and the military command.

The move caught intelligence officials off guard.

A spokeswoman for Cyber Command said she could not confirm General Haugh’s removal, and referred questions to the Pentagon, which did not respond to a request for comment. A White House spokeswoman did not confirm the ouster.

But a U.S. official briefed on the matter said Laura Loomer, a far-right activist and outside adviser to President Trump, called for General Haugh’s removal during her Oval Office meeting on Thursday. Mr. Trump ordered Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to fire General Haugh, the official said.

Ms. Loomer appeared to take credit for the firing, writing in a post on X after midnight that General Haugh “had no place” serving in the administration because he had been chosen for the job by Gen. Mark A. Milley, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs who has been critical of Mr. Trump.

“Why would we want an NSA Director who was referred to Biden after being hand selected by Milley,” Ms. Loomer wrote. “Why would we want Milley’s hand picked choice for NSA DIRECTOR? We do not! And he was referred for firing.”

General Haugh was also seen by the Trump administration as moving too slowly on its mandate to eliminate diversity programs.

Mr. Himes, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said the public was owed an explanation.

“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,” Mr. Himes said.

Three former officials briefed on the matter said General Haugh was informed of the decision while traveling. Current and former officials said General Haugh’s deputy at the National Security Agency, Wendy Noble, was also removed from her post, and potentially reassigned to another position at the Pentagon.

One of the officials said neither General Haugh nor Ms. Noble was told why they were being removed, only that “your services are no longer required.”

In her social media post, Ms. Loomer said Ms. Noble had been referred for her post by James Clapper, who served as director of national intelligence in the Obama administration and has been deeply critical of Mr. Trump.

“Why would we want Clapper’s protege at the NSA? Of course Wendy Nobel was referred for firing,” Ms. Loomer wrote, misspelling Ms. Noble’s name. “She is a Trump hater who was nominated by JOE BIDEN.”

Another former official said Lt. Gen. William J. Hartman, the deputy at Cyber Command, would serve as the acting director of the N.S.A.

General Haugh had a cautious public manner, one that ran at odds with the new Pentagon and National Security Council leadership, which has promised aggressive cyberoperations against China.

General Haugh also served as a top deputy at Cyber Command during the Biden administration and was appointed to his two posts in the previous administration. Former officials said that Trump administration officials viewed General Haugh skeptically as a result of his appointment by former President Joseph R. Biden Jr.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and President Trump have removed several top officers from their posts, including the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr.; the chief of naval operations, Adm. Lisa Franchetti; and the commandant of the Coast Guard, Adm. Linda L. Fagan.

But the firings are a sharp break with precedent. Military officers endeavor to serve apolitically, and presidents usually keep them in their posts even if they were nominated by their predecessors.

In a statement, Mr. Warner praised General Haugh’s leadership and said his removal would not make the country safer, jabbing at the White House for sharing sensitive material on a consumer messaging application and ousting members of the National Security Council staff at the urging of Ms. Loomer.

Amid such actions, Mr. Warner said, the firing of a “nonpartisan, experienced leader” like General Haugh is “astonishing.”