The Pentagon has confirmed the dismissal of General Timothy Haugh, the four-star Air Force officer who served as the head of the National Security Agency (NSA) and US Cyber Command, in a move that has sparked bipartisan concern and raised fresh questions about political interference in national security matters.

In a brief statement issued on Friday, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell thanked Gen Haugh for his “decades of service to our nation” and wished him and his family well. However, the statement did not elaborate on the reasons for his abrupt departure.

Gen Haugh, a career officer with a longstanding reputation in cybersecurity and digital defence, had been overseeing two of the United States’ most critical intelligence and cyber warfare bodies. His removal marks a significant reshuffle within the national security establishment.

According to multiple US media reports, Haugh’s dismissal came at the suggestion of far-right political activist Laura Loomer, a controversial figure known for promoting conspiracy theories and espousing anti-Muslim rhetoric.

Loomer has been a vocal supporter of former President Donald Trump and has previously described herself as a “proud Islamophobe”.

The reports suggest that President Trump, who is seeking re-election in 2024, met with Loomer earlier this week and later praised her publicly, calling her a “very good patriot” and confirming she makes “recommendations” on personnel decisions.

When asked about the reshuffle while en route to Florida for a golf tournament, Mr Trump said, “We’re going to let go of people – people we don’t like or people that we don’t think can do the job or people who may have loyalties to someone else.”

Democratic lawmakers have reacted sharply to the development, describing it as a purge of apolitical security officials and an alarming instance of political loyalty overriding national interest.

“Gen. Haugh led the NSA and Cyber Command with steady, effective leadership,” Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona wrote on social media. “By dismissing him and failing to hold anyone accountable for the threat to U.S. pilots over Signal, Trump has shown he values loyalty over competence – making us all less safe.”

The reference was to a recent incident in which US officials reportedly used the encrypted messaging app Signal to discuss sensitive plans to bomb Houthi targets in Yemen. A journalist was allegedly added to the chat by mistake, raising concerns about operational security. Despite the blunder, no dismissals were made in relation to the incident.

Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, described Haugh’s firing as “so crazy it defies belief” and condemned Trump’s reliance on Loomer’s advice.

“Trump refused to fire the people that embarrassed America and risked servicemembers’ lives in the Signalgate scandal, but fired Gen. Haugh, a nonpartisan national security expert, at the advice of a self-described ‘pro-white nationalist’,” he said.

Loomer took to social media to defend her role in the firings, accusing Haugh and his civilian deputy, Wendy Noble, of disloyalty to Trump and branding them as holdovers from the Biden administration.

“NSA Director Tim Haugh and his deputy Wendy Noble have been disloyal to President Trump. That is why they have been fired,” she wrote. “Their firings are a blessing for the American people.”

Reports indicate that Noble has been reassigned, while additional shake-ups have occurred at the National Security Council. Among those removed are Brian Walsh, a senior director of intelligence, and Thomas Boodry, the senior director of legislative affairs.

Reuters estimates that more than a dozen officials linked to national security and intelligence have been removed in what is being described as a purge.

The ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, Jim Himes, demanded an immediate explanation for the dismissals.

“I have known General Haugh to be an honest and forthright leader who followed the law and put national security first,” Himes said. “I fear those are precisely the qualities that could lead to his firing in this administration.”

The controversy underscores the growing influence of far-right voices in shaping national security policy under Trump’s leadership and has triggered widespread concern over the erosion of professional norms in the intelligence community.

Despite repeated questions from the press, the Trump campaign has not issued a detailed statement on the firings beyond the president’s in-flight remarks.