WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee; Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Cyber, Information Technologies, and Innovation Subcommittee; and Chrissy Houlahan (D-Penn.), Ranking Member of the Military Personnel Subcommittee; issued the following joint statement in response to President Donald Trump firing Director of the National Security Agency (NSA) and Commander, US Cyber Command General Timothy Haugh and NSA Deputy Director Wendy Noble.

“We have grave concerns about the firing of General Haugh and Deputy Director Noble. Under their leadership, the men and women of US Cyber Command and the National Security Agency have been at the tip of the spear in defense of our country against very real cyber threats, including ransomware extortionists and actors like Volt Typhoon and Salt Typhoon. Reports that the dismissals were due not to failure to execute their positions but, rather, being accused of being disloyal by a far-right conspiracy theorist are deeply disturbing.

“Yet again, the president is telling the country and the world that competence, character, and loyalty to the Constitution and country mean nothing in his Administration. Fealty to Trump is the only job requirement, no matter how serious the implications are for our national security. Our country is less safe because of his actions.”

###