1. What is the National Security Agency?
2. List of National Security Agency Firings
   1. General Timothy Haugh
   2. Wendy Noble

What is the National Security Agency?

The National Security Agency (NSA) is one of the United States’ premier intelligence organizations, focused primarily on signals intelligence and cybersecurity. Established in 1952, the NSA operates under the Department of Defense and serves as the nation’s cryptologic organization. Its dual mission involves collecting, processing, and analyzing foreign signals intelligence for national security purposes, while also protecting U.S. government communications and information systems against penetration and network warfare.

As a key member of the U.S. Intelligence Community, the NSA employs thousands of military and civilian personnel with expertise in cryptography, mathematics, computer science, linguistics, and intelligence analysis. The agency maintains sophisticated technological capabilities to intercept and decrypt electronic communications worldwide. Following the 9/11 attacks, its surveillance activities expanded significantly, leading to controversies after Edward Snowden’s 2013 revelations about mass surveillance programs. Headquartered at Fort Meade, Maryland, the NSA works closely with other intelligence agencies and international partners to address threats from foreign governments, terrorist organizations, and cyber actors that could harm U.S. national security interests.

TL;DR: The National Security Agency is the U.S. government’s super-spy tech agency that listens in on foreign stuff, protects our secrets, and sometimes gets in trouble for listening a little too much.

List of National Security Agency Firings

Below is a list of people in the National Security Agency that have been fired by President Donald Trump or the Trump Administration, sorted by most recent:

General Timothy Haugh

Head of the National Security Agency
Head of U.S. Cyber Command
Fired on April 3, 2025

The Trump administration dismissed General Timothy Haugh, the head of both the National Security Agency (NSA) and U.S. Cyber Command, as part of a broader shakeup of top security officials. Along with Haugh, Wendy Noble, his deputy at the NSA, was also removed from her position. The firings raised concerns about potential impacts on national security, with leaders from the Senate and House intelligence committees expressing unease. This move is part of significant changes within the U.S. intelligence community in the early months of the Trump administration.

TL;DR: The Trump administration fired the top boss of the NSA (General Timothy Haugh) and his deputy, worrying some leaders about how it might affect national security.

Wendy Noble

Civilian Deputy Director – National Security Agency
Fired on April 3, 2025

National Security Agency Director Gen. Timothy Haugh and Civilian Deputy Director Wendy Noble, both longtime career intelligence officials with decades of service, were dismissed by the Trump administration. While no official explanation for their departure has been provided, the decision has prompted questions about its potential impact on the agency’s leadership continuity. Former NSA Director Paul Nakasone described Haugh and Noble as highly capable leaders and noted that their removal could pose challenges to the agency’s ongoing operations.

TL;DR: The Trump administration fired two top NSA leaders (including Wendy Noble) with lots of experience, and people worry this could cause problems for the agency’s work.