Story perspectives

Trump Nominates Lt. Gen. Rudd for NSA Leadership

12/19/2025

Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump nominated Lieutenant-General Joshua Rudd to head the National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command.
Rudd is deputy commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and will become general.
The nomination goes to the Senate Armed Services Committee for review by the Senate Intelligence Committee.
Officials say Rudd has extensive military experience but lacks a specific cyber-focused leadership background.
NSA and U.S. Cyber Command have been without confirmed leaders since April.

History

Historical Context

In May 2018, President Donald Trump appointed Lieutenant General Paul Nakasone as the director of the National Security Agency (NSA) and commander of U.S. Cyber Command, following a period of leadership gaps. Nakasone's focus on cybersecurity comes amid a 50% increase in cyberattacks from 2016 to 2017, highlighting the urgent need for robust national security measures in an evolving digital landscape.

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Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump nominated Lieutenant-General Joshua Rudd to head the National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command.
Rudd is deputy commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and will become general.
The nomination goes to the Senate Armed Services Committee for review by the Senate Intelligence Committee.
Officials say Rudd has extensive military experience but lacks a specific cyber-focused leadership background.
NSA and U.S. Cyber Command have been without confirmed leaders since April.

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