Lt. Gen. Joshua Rudd told senators he would follow the Constitution and all legal limits if confirmed to lead the NSA and U.S. Cyber Command. Senators probed whether the administration has politicized surveillance after the prior director was removed and asked whether Rudd would require warrants before targeting U.S. persons. Rudd pledged to operate within legal authorities and to notify Congress of any White House efforts to alter surveillance policy; senators say they expect his confirmation.
Trump’s NSA Nominee Joshua Rudd Vows to Uphold Law, Assures Senators on Surveillance Limits
Lt. Gen. Joshua Rudd testifies during a Senate Committee on Armed Services hearing on Capitol Hill, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
WASHINGTON (AP) — Lt. Gen. Joshua Rudd, the Army general nominated to lead the U.S. National Security Agency, told senators Thursday that he will adhere to the Constitution and all applicable laws when overseeing the agency’s surveillance authorities if he is confirmed.
If confirmed by the Senate, Rudd would also assume command of U.S. Cyber Command, putting him at the center of the nation’s offensive and defensive cyber operations.
Background And Stakes
Rudd’s nomination comes after the agency has operated without a permanent director since President Donald Trump removed Gen. Tim Haugh last year. At his confirmation hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee, senators from both parties pressed him on whether the administration has politicized federal law enforcement or intelligence tools to target critics or political opponents.
Rudd, a veteran of Army special operations with deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan who currently serves as deputy commander of Indo‑Pacific Command, emphasized the NSA’s role in protecting service members, supporting mission success and defending the homeland against espionage and digital threats.
Commitment To Legal Limits
Democratic senators expressed skepticism that political pressure could lead to improper surveillance of Americans. Sen. Ron Wyden (D‑Ore.) directly asked whether Rudd would require a judicial warrant before targeting U.S. persons.
Sen. Ron Wyden: "If you are directed to target people in the United States for surveillance, will you insist that there be a judicial warrant?"
Lt. Gen. Joshua Rudd: "If confirmed, I will absolutely commit to executing the foreign intelligence mission of the NSA in accordance with the authorities it has been given and within all applicable laws."
Rudd also pledged to keep Congress informed about any White House efforts to change surveillance policies without congressional approval, answering another major concern raised during the hearing.
Why It Matters
The NSA’s responsibilities—cybersecurity, signals intelligence, and cryptography—have become more central to U.S. national security as digital technologies expand both opportunities for intelligence gathering and threats from adversaries such as China and Russia. The dual role of NSA director and U.S. Cyber Command leader gives the nominee significant influence over U.S. cyber posture and operations.
Senators from both parties indicated they expect Rudd’s nomination to be confirmed by the full Senate, but a date for a confirmation vote has not been announced.
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