NSA and Cyber Command Nominee Defends Experience at Senate Hearing

January 19, 2026: The Trump administration’s nominee to lead U.S. Cyber Command and the National Security Agency (NSA) defended his qualifications on Thursday amid scrutiny over his lack of direct cyber and intelligence experience.

Army Lt. Gen. Joshua Rudd, nominated to serve as the next dual-hatted leader of both organizations, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that his long military career has prepared him to oversee cyber and intelligence operations.

“For decades, I’ve served as a leader, consumer, enabler, generator, and integrator of the intelligence and operational capabilities of NSA and Cyber Command,” Rudd said in his opening statement.

Rudd emphasized that cyber operations and signals intelligence have been central to his work, including in his current role as deputy commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. He noted that these capabilities are integrated into daily operational decision-making across military theaters.

“If you look across my career—different regions, different missions—that integration has been a constant,” said Rudd, who spent much of his service in special operations.

If confirmed, Rudd would take charge of two agencies that have lacked permanent leadership following the ouster of their previous chief, amid political pressure that has also affected other senior defence officials.

Rather than pressing Rudd on recent U.S. military operations in which Cyber Command has been publicly referenced, lawmakers focused on his technical credentials and views on cyber strategy.

“I have full confidence in the exceptional talent at CYBERCOM and NSA,” Rudd told senators. “If confirmed, I will rely on their expertise to ensure these organizations provide the strongest possible support to our combat commanders.” - Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) voiced concern after Rudd offered limited responses to questions about cyber deterrence and policy.

“You’re nominated to be the top cyber officer in the U.S. government, yet you don’t appear to have firm views on cyber policy,” King said. “This is a critical domain of defense and an active attack surface for our country.”

Rudd was also questioned about the long-standing practice of shared leadership between Cyber Command and the NSA. He said the arrangement has improved operational speed and integration, based on his experience, but pledged to objectively reassess the structure if the issue resurfaces.

“I would seek input from both organizations and their customers to determine what works best,” he said.

The nominee also pledged to strengthen partnerships with industry and academia to expand and modernize the cyber workforce in response to rapidly evolving digital threats.

“Cyber is a domain where we are actively engaged today,” Rudd said. “Some might even argue we are already at war in that space, and that’s not an unreasonable view.”

Rudd is expected to face little opposition in the GOP-controlled Senate. He is scheduled to testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee later this month, which also oversees his nomination.

The current acting head of Cyber Command and the NSA, Army Lt. Gen. William Hartman, is set to retire early next month. If no delays arise, Rudd could be confirmed within the next few weeks.