Who is Timothy Haugh, the head of the National Security Agency fired by Trump

General Haugh had a cautious public attitude - the New York Times recalls - in contrast to the new leadership of the Pentagon and the National Security Council, which promised aggressive cyber operations against China.

Democratic senators and deputies sharply criticised Trump's decision. They pointed out that Haugh had distinguished himself during his years of service and that to dismiss him in this way at a time when the US is under attack (particularly from China) is incomprehensible.

Connecticut Congressman Jim Himes, a member of the House Intelligence Committee, said the public is entitled to an explanation. He described Haugh as an "honest and forthright leader who obeyed the law and put national security first. I'm afraid those are the very qualities that led to his dismissal." .

Senator Mark Warner of Virginia praised General Haugh's leadership skills and stated that his removal will not make the country safer, and attacked the White House for sharing sensitive material on a commercial messaging app and ousting National Security Council staff members at Loomer's urging. In the midst of such actions, Warner said, the dismissal of a "nonpartisan and experienced leader" like General Haugh is "astounding".

Renée Burton, a computer security expert who spent more than two decades at the NSA, called the news of Haugh's ouster 'alarming'.

"The mission of the NSA is vast and extremely complicated," Burton told CNN. "General Haugh and Ms. Noble have built the expertise and credibility needed to oversee such a vital part of our national security. Replacing them will not be easy and the upheaval will expose the country to new risks."

Since taking office on 20 January, President Donald Trump has fired several senior officials of US agencies and replaced them with other loyalists.

Elon Musk, who is leading the Trump administration's efforts to cut and streamline the federal government's workforce, went to the National Security Agency last month to meet with Haugh.

The NSA is one of the leading intelligence agencies in the United States and uses specialised high-level technologies and systems to collect and analyse intelligence information. The US Cyber Command carries out both offensive and defensive operations and monitors Department of Defence networks.