NSA fills monthslong 'leadership vacuum' after MAGA influencer sidelined Trump pick

The National Security Agency (NSA) has ended "months of ongoing leadership vacuums" with the appointment of a new deputy director after Laura Loomer, a far-right activist seen by many as a "Trump whisperer," managed to get a previous nominee thrown out.

Government Executive reported that Tom Kosiba, who has prior experience with both the NSA and the FBI, had been named deputy director at the NSA, filling the agency's second-highest-ranked leadership position. As the outlet noted, he "will likely have to contend with declining morale inside the spy agency, as well as significant workforce cuts that were influenced by Trump 2.0 efforts to reduce government bloat and spending waste."

Kosiba's appointment also comes after significant interference in filling the position from Loomer. Joe Francescon, who was on the National Security Council during Donald Trump’s first term as president, was previously set to be nominated to the position, but Loomer voiced opposition to his appointment due to past donations to a Democratic candidate who was involved in one of Trump's impeachment trials. She also alleged that Francescon's wife had ties to China.

"FEC records reveal that Francescon donated to an anti-Trump Democrat Congressman named [Jason Crow of Wisconsin]," Loomer posted to X in August. "During his first term in Congress, Crow was an impeachment manager for President Donald Trump's first impeachment trial. Concerning."

Loomer has been widely noted for her close access to the president and influence over his decision-making, especially as it concerns appointments. Following her criticisms of National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and his deputies, he was gone from the office. Government Executive also previously reported that she was believed to have been involved in the firing of former NSA and Cyber Command leader Gen. Timothy Haugh, taking a meeting with Trump at the White House shortly before he was fired. An anonymous source told the outlet that the timing "couldn’t be coincidental."

Sources inside the Trump administration have expressed frustration over her continued influence over Trump, with some alleging that she has become motivated by outside interests as opposed to MAGA loyalty.

"She used to pretty much just amplify the MAGA line, but now it’s pretty clear that she has her own agenda," one source told the Free Press.

“There is widespread understanding here that she’s not guided entirely by loyalties to the president, but external business interests," another source added.