Lt. Gen. Joshua Rudd confirmed as new leader of NSA, Cyber Command

Sam Sabin

Lt. Gen. Joshua Rudd sitting at a table preparing to testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee — Lt. Gen. Joshua Rudd testifying before the Senate Intelligence Committee in January. Photo: Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images

The Senate overwhelmingly confirmed Army Lt. Gen. Joshua Rudd, the deputy chief of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, as the director of the National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command.

Why it matters: Rudd — who some lawmakers have criticized for a lack of military cyber experience — is the first permanent director of the dual-hat role since President Trump fired Air Force Gen. Timothy Haugh nearly a year ago.

By the numbers: Senators voted 71-29 to confirm Rudd, who Trump picked as his nominee in December after passing up on two other choices.

Between the lines: Military cyber experts and former officials see Rudd's expertise in the Pacific as a boost for the U.S. as it faces increasing cybersecurity and espionage threats from China.

The other side: Senate leadership set up Tuesday's vote to circumvent Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.)'s procedural hold, which is designed to prevent the confirmation due to Rudd's lack of cyber experience.

What they're saying: While testifying before the Senate Intelligence Committee in January, Rudd defended his background — noting in his opening remarks that he has long been a "leader, consumer, enabler, generator, and integrator of NSA and Cyber Command's capabilities."

What to watch: Rudd will assume the helm of the NSA and Cyber Command as the Trump administration leans harder into offensive cyber operations.

Go deeper: Trump administration drops first cybersecurity strategy of second term

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Lt. Gen. Joshua Rudd confirmed as new leader of NSA, Cyber Command

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