
Trump’s Inner Circle FREEZING OUT Hegseth?!
A Pentagon-backed nomination for Lt. Gen. Richard Angle to simultaneously lead the NSA and Cyber Command has been rejected by the White House, sparking concerns over a prolonged cyber-intelligence leadership void at a critical geopolitical moment and indicating a loss of leverage for Pete Hegseth.
At a Glance
• The Pentagon nominated Lt. Gen. Richard Angle to head both the NSA and U.S. Cyber Command
• Angle had support from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and DNI Tulsi Gabbard
• The White House rejected the nomination without providing any explanation
• The decision follows April’s unexplained firing of NSA chief Gen. Timothy Haugh and his deputy
• The leadership vacuum persists amid heightened tensions, including possible U.S. entry into the Israel–Iran conflict
Rejection Highlights Shadow Play in National Security Picks
The dismissal of Angle underscores increasing White House pushback against appointments favored by the Pentagon. Although Angle brings special operations credentials and limited cyber command experience, critics argue his cybersecurity background falls short. As Politico reports, the rejection, issued without any stated reason, intensifies speculation about internal disagreement and political calculations in filling sensitive security roles.
Watch a report: Top Pentagon Spy Pick Rejected by White House Amid Cyber Leadership Crisis.
Operational Blind Spot Amid Rising Threats
With these cyber post vacancies persisting, national security experts warn that U.S. readiness to counter escalating cyber threats from Iran, China, Russia, and other adversaries could be undermined. The abrupt April removal of Gen. Timothy Haugh, the previous dual-hatted NSA/Cyber Command chief, after a private White House meeting with activist Laura Loomer, remains controversial and politically charged. Reporting from The Washington Post suggests the shake-up has left the agencies operating in a precarious, interim state.
Hegseth’s Influence Takes a Hit
The blocked nomination marks a further setback for Hegseth, whose sway over national security staffing has diminished. According to The Daily Beast, Trump insiders say Hegseth is increasingly sidelined on key defense decisions. This follows prior White House rejection of Hegseth’s choice for chief of staff after damaging leaks about the candidate surfaced, as covered by the New York Post.
If no successor is named soon, this leadership gap could hamper U.S. cyber operations just as conflict escalation risks grow across the Middle East—underscoring the stakes of a struggle over control at the heart of U.S. national security.