April 7, 2025 Editor, The News-Gazette: The current administration is putting the national security of the United States at significant risk. On Thursday, April 3, President Trump fired Gen. Timothy Haugh, the head of the National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command. This action was taken at the request of Laura Loomer, a social media influencer who has no background, training, or experience in national security or intelligence operations, and who has a history of spreading false stories and conspiracy theories.
Ms. Loomer’s rationale for her recommendation was that General Haugh was appointed to his position by Gen. Mark Milley, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the last two administrations. During his tenure as chair of the Joint Chiefs, General Milley reviewed appointments for hundreds of officers to key positions, but because Loomer considers him disloyal to Trump, she insisted General Haugh be fired and the president complied. It is a sad day in America when the president is taking advice about one of the most important intelligence jobs in the country from a “social media influencer”.
This firing is only the latest action taken by the Trump administration that has eroded the security of our country. The administration and DOGE have gutted the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), which was created during the first Trump administration to protect the integrity of U.S. elections and the country’s infrastructure. Millions of dollars have been cut from critical intelligence sharing programs that alerted state and local officials to threats, both about election interference and potential attacks on electric grids, dams, etc. Considering the Republican messaging about the need to insure elections are secure and safe, it is the height of irony that an agency that has shown repeated success in alerting local governments to potential threats has been gutted.
Our enemies abroad are no doubt jumping for joy. PATRICIA HIGGINS Lexington, VA
