White House withdraws nomination for deputy NSA director
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard in August designated Joe Francescon as the deputy director at the National Security Agency, which was approved by President Donald Trump.
Nebraska GOP Rep. Don Bacon said Friday that the White House is withdrawing the nomination of President Donald Trump's nominee for deputy NSA director, just as the acting deputy director is set to retire at the end of the month.
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard in August designated Joe Francescon as the deputy director at the National Security Agency, which was approved by President Donald Trump. He began working for the agency in 2008, and has since served in roles on the White House National Security Council and at the Pentagon, according to The Hill.
The White House has not commented on withdrawing Francescon's nomination so far, but the move comes after Trump ally Laura Loomer revealed that Francescon donated to the campaign of Colorado Democratic Rep. Jason Crow in 2023.
Bacon blasted Loomer and the decision on X, stating that it would leave multiple national security positions vacant.
"The White House is withdrawing [Francescon] as its nominee to be the [NSA] Deputy Director, meanwhile the acting Deputy Director will retire at the end of the month," Bacon wrote. "This means the top two positions at NSA and the four-star commander at Cyber Command will remain vacant for 8 months and counting.
"All because of infighting in the White House and the involvement of whacky Laura Loomer in hiring," he continued. "We are at Cyber War everyday and the inability to get leaders in place is gross negligence."
The decision also comes the same day Admiral Alvin Holsey, who is commander of U.S. Southern Command, retired.
Francescon has not commented on the withdrawal of his nomination so far.
Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.