White House Pulls Key Pick
The White House has withdrawn its selection for a senior leadership role at the National Security Agency, raising fresh concerns about ongoing vacancies at one of America’s most important intelligence organizations.
Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) said this week that the administration has withdrawn Joe Francescon from consideration for the NSA’s deputy director position. The move comes as the agency’s current deputy director is set to step down in less than 30 days.
As a result, multiple top leadership positions within the nation’s cyber and intelligence infrastructure remain unfilled, prompting warnings from lawmakers focused on national defense and cybersecurity readiness.
According to Bacon, both the NSA’s senior leadership roles and the four-star commander position at U.S. Cyber Command have now gone without permanent leadership for several months.
Bacon said the situation leaves both of the NSA’s top leadership roles and the four-star Cyber Command post unfilled for more than eight months.
The Nebraska Republican expressed frustration over what he described as internal disagreements and delays within the administration, arguing that prolonged vacancies could undermine effective oversight of critical cyber operations.
While emphasizing that the United States faces daily cyber threats from foreign adversaries, Bacon said failing to install permanent leadership during this period reflects poorly on the administration’s priorities.
A White House official responded by noting that the deputy director role at the National Security Agency does not require Senate confirmation and that no formal nomination had been transmitted to Congress. Even so, the sudden reversal has fueled concern among lawmakers who monitor intelligence and defense agencies.
Conservative activist and Trump ally Laura Loomer welcomed the decision publicly. She pointed to past political donations by Francescon, including a contribution to Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.), as part of her criticism.
Crow was among several Democratic lawmakers who recently appeared in a video addressing the rights of military personnel when it comes to unlawful orders, a message that drew sharp reactions from conservatives.
The initial report that Francescon’s appointment was being withdrawn was first published by The Record.
Earlier this year, the National Security Agency announced that Director Tulsi Gabbard had selected Francescon for the deputy director role with President Trump’s approval. Francescon began working at the NSA in 2008 and later served in senior positions at the White House National Security Council and the Department of Defense.
As cyber risks continue to rise globally, critics say maintaining stable leadership at agencies like the NSA and Cyber Command is essential to protecting America’s digital infrastructure, military networks, and national security interests.
