- Confirmation ends 11-month leadership gap
WASHINGTON, March 12 2026 (Agencies) – The Senate has confirmed Gen. Joshua Rudd to lead both U.S. Cyber Command and the National Security Agency, ending nearly a year without a permanent leader at the helm of the nation’s premier cyber and signals intelligence organizations.
Rudd was approved in a 71–29 vote Tuesday, three months after his nomination by President Donald Trump. His confirmation follows an unusual procedural battle in which Senate Majority Leader John Thune bypassed a hold from Sen. Ron Wyden, who raised concerns about Rudd’s lack of direct signals intelligence experience.
The dual-hatted post had been vacant since April, when Gen. Timothy Haugh was ousted amid political pressure. Lt. Gen. William Hartman has served in an acting capacity since then.
Rudd’s background differs from past NSA and Cyber Command leaders. He previously served as deputy commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and has spent much of his career in special operations and joint command roles. Supporters argue that his Indo-Pacific expertise will be critical as the U.S. confronts cyber threats from China.
“I’m confident that the incredible talent at Cyber Com-NSA will provide great advice,” Rudd told senators during his January confirmation hearings. “If confirmed, I can continue to lead and enable those two organizations to provide the best support to our combat commanders.”
His tenure begins at a pivotal moment. Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, a cornerstone of NSA’s foreign spying authority, is set to expire in April unless renewed by Congress. Rudd has defended the program, saying it has “saved lives here in the homeland.”
The upcoming midterm elections also loom large, with both NSA and Cyber Command expected to play key roles in defending against foreign interference. However, the Trump administration has recently shuttered or downsized several offices dedicated to tracking election threats, raising concerns among intelligence officials.
Rudd will also face challenges inside NSA, where morale has declined amid workforce cuts tied to Trump’s broader push to reduce government spending.
Despite criticism, Rudd’s confirmation drew praise from Republican leaders.
“General Rudd is a war hero with a lifetime of service to our nation. He is the right choice to lead the protection of our nation from cyberattacks by Iran, Russia, and China,” said Sen. Tom Cotton, chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee.