WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME), Co-Chair of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission (CSC), released the following statement after news broke that General Timothy Haugh, the Director of the National Security Agency (NSA) and head of U.S. Cyber Command, was fired. General Haugh was reportedly released after far-right activist and conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer accused the General of being disloyal to President Trump.

“Right now, our country is under attack in cyberspace, and President Trump just removed our top general from the front lines.  There was no reason for the removal of General Haugh outside of a recommendation from a conspiracy theorist who knows nothing whatsoever about national security, or what the roles of top National Security Agency officials entail. It’s downright dangerous and utterly irresponsible.

“As to the claims out there that the firing is because ‘he was disloyal to Trump,’ here’s the truth of the matter: Generals are not supposed to be loyal to any president, they’re loyal to the Constitution and to the country. Period. This news could not be more grave given the seriousness of where we are in cyber. American institutions are being attacked daily — in fact, we just had the largest attack on our telecommunications system in the country’s history. General Haugh is a straight shooter, and his 30 years of experience and deep knowledge of cyber were an incredible asset to our national security. His honesty and his expertise are to be valued and appreciated, not held against him by the President’s shadow cabinet.”

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