US Senate confirms Joshua Rudd to lead National Security Agency, Cyber Command

WASHINGTON

The US Senate on Tuesday confirmed Lt. Gen. Joshua Rudd to lead the National Security Agency (NSA) and US Cyber Command.

President Donald Trump's pick was confirmed in a 71-29 vote.

Last April, NSA Chief Air Force Gen. Timothy Haugh and Deputy Director Wendy Noble were removed from their positions, drawing scathing criticism of the Trump administration from congressional Democrats.

Rudd will replace acting NSA Director Lt. Gen. William Hartman and assume leadership of the nation’s top signals intelligence agency alongside its military cyber operations arm, as well as be promoted to general.

During his confirmation hearing in January, Rudd said he would prioritize increasing the speed and agility of both organizations while investing in the highly specialized workforce required to meet evolving threats.

"If confirmed, I am prepared to lead these organizations as an integrated and essential team dedicated to increasing the speed and agility of our support for the nation's toughest challenges, while cultivating and retaining a uniquely qualified workforce," he said.