Trump’s pick to lead the NSA vows to follow the law if confirmed

WASHINGTON– The Army general nominated to head the U.S. National Security Agency assured lawmakers Thursday that he will follow the Constitution and the law when it comes to using the NSA’s powerful surveillance tools.

Lt. Gen. Joshua Rudd, if confirmed by the Senate, would also lead the Pentagon’s Cyber ​​Command, giving it a critical role in the nation’s offensive and defensive cyber operations.

The NSA has been without a permanent director since President Donald Trump fired Gen. Tim Haugh last year. Questions during Rudd’s confirmation hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee reflected concerns about whether Trump had politicized the use of federal law enforcement and security programs to target his critics and political opponents.

Rudd has held leadership positions in Army Special Forces, served in Iraq and Afghanistan and is now deputy commander of the Indo-Pacific Command. He told senators that the NSA’s mission is critical to protecting the lives of service members and the success of their missions while protecting the country from espionage and digital threats.

Rudd assured skeptical Democrats that he would follow the law if asked to turn the NSA’s spying programs against Americans simply because of their speech or political beliefs, which is prohibited under federal law.

“If you are asked to target people in the United States for surveillance, will you insist that there be a judicial warrant? asked Sen. Ron Wyden, a Democrat from Oregon.

“If confirmed, I will be absolutely committed to carrying out the NSA’s foreign intelligence mission in accordance with the authorities granted to it and within all applicable laws,” Rudd said in response.

The NSA focuses on cybersecurity, digital surveillance, and cryptography programs for U.S. national security and works closely with other intelligence agencies and the Pentagon. Its importance has grown in recent years as the Internet and digital technology have created new intelligence-gathering opportunities as well as new threats from China, Russia and other adversaries.

Lawmakers also demanded assurances that he would inform them of any White House attempts to change surveillance policies without congressional consent.

Senators from both parties have said they believe Rudd’s nomination will be confirmed by the full Senate. The date of the vote on his nomination has not been announced.