Gen. Timothy Haugh, NSA director, and his deputy, Wendy Noble, were dismissed without clear reasons, sparking criticism from Democrats over national security concerns. The move follows Elon Musk’s visit to the NSA and other recent staff changes.

The director and second-in-command of the National Security Agency were removed from their roles on Thursday, according to a defense official and three sources familiar with the matter.

Sources said the reasons behind the dismissals of Air Force Gen. Timothy Haugh and his deputy remain unclear.

The White House National Security Council did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday night.

Gen. Haugh held dual leadership roles as both the head of U.S. Cyber Command and the director of the National Security Agency — a position he had served in since February 2024. His deputy, Wendy Noble, served as the NSA’s senior civilian leader.

Both individuals are long-serving career professionals. Haugh brings over 30 years of experience in the Air Force, with a strong background in intelligence and cyber operations, and holds a degree in Russian studies. Noble, meanwhile, had steadily risen through the ranks at the NSA since she joined the agency in 1987.

The dismissals triggered sharp criticism from Congressional Democrats, who condemned the Trump administration’s 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 in this administration," said Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, in a statement.

He further stated, "The Intelligence Committee and the American people need an immediate explanation for this decision, which makes all of us less safe."

Sen. Mark Warner, D-Virginia, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, described Haugh’s removal as "astonishing."

"At a time when the United States is facing unprecedented cyber threats, as the Salt Typhoon cyberattack from China has so clearly underscored, how does firing him make Americans any safer?" Warner said in a statement.

Larry Pfeiffer, a former senior intelligence official, described the firings as "unprecedented."

"America should worry when the politicians want to control the guys with the world’s most powerful eavesdropping capability," he said.

He noted that, traditionally, presidents have relied on recommendations from the defense secretary and CIA director when selecting NSA leadership.

Just last month, Trump adviser Elon Musk visited the NSA headquarters and held a meeting with Haugh. That visit came roughly a week after Musk posted on his social media platform, X, stating, "The NSA needs an overhaul."

Earlier on Thursday, NBC News reported that Trump dismissed at least three National Security Council officials this week following a meeting with far-right activist Laura Loomer, who voiced her dissatisfaction with certain members of his national security team.