NSA nominee faces surveillance questions
The committee also questioned Lt. Gen. Joshua Rudd, nominated to lead the National Security Agency. The NSA has been without a permanent director since President Trump fired Gen. Tim Haugh last year. The NSA director also leads the Pentagon’s Cyber Command, giving the position a critical role in the nation’s defensive and offensive cyber capabilities.
Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, a former CIA analyst and Democrat, said she worries the Trump administration could order the NSA to monitor Americans because of their political views or speech — something she said is expressly forbidden by federal law.
“Will you reject that?” Slotkin asked.
“Senator, if confirmed, I will execute my responsibilities in accordance with the Constitution and all applicable laws,” Rudd said.
Slotkin is among several Democratic lawmakers who say they face criminal investigation by the Trump administration after appearing in a video urging service members to resist illegal orders.
Lawmakers from both parties said they expect both nominations to be approved. A vote has not been announced.