Washington: Top United States military and intelligence leaders are pushing President Barack Obama to fire National Security Agency (NSA) Chief Admiral Michael Rogers, US media reported on Saturday, even as Mr Rogers is apparently being considered for a senior position in the Donald Trump administration.
House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes has asked Defense Secretary Ash Carter and Director of National Intelligence James Clapper -- the two reportedly behind the push -- to testify before the end of the year.
President-elect Donald Trump was said to be considering Mr Rogers as Director of National Intelligence in his incoming administration.
Mr Rogers, who also heads US Cyber Command, has been at the helm of the NSA and its Central Security Service since 2014, in the wake of a massive leak by former intelligence contractor Edward Snowden linked to broad surveillance methods.
Mr Carter has been dissatisfied with Mr Rogers' performance at the NSA during a time that saw major security breaches, including that revealed last month by Booz Allen Hamilton contractor Harold Martin III, who is accused of having orchestrated the largest theft of classified government material.
Mr Clapper, meanwhile, is seeking a separation of leadership roles at the NSA and US Cyber Command, and wants the NSA to be headed by a civilian.
"His professionalism, expertise and deckplate leadership have been remarkable during an extremely challenging period for NSA. I know other members of Congress hold him in similarly high esteem," Mr Rogers added.
And "any decision to end the dual-hatting relationship between NSA and USCYBERCOM should prompt a further review of NSA's organization," Mr Nunes added.
House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes has asked Defense Secretary Ash Carter and Director of National Intelligence James Clapper -- the two reportedly behind the push -- to testify before the end of the year.
President-elect Donald Trump was said to be considering Mr Rogers as Director of National Intelligence in his incoming administration.
Mr Rogers, who also heads US Cyber Command, has been at the helm of the NSA and its Central Security Service since 2014, in the wake of a massive leak by former intelligence contractor Edward Snowden linked to broad surveillance methods.
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Mr Carter has been dissatisfied with Mr Rogers' performance at the NSA during a time that saw major security breaches, including that revealed last month by Booz Allen Hamilton contractor Harold Martin III, who is accused of having orchestrated the largest theft of classified government material.
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Mr Clapper, meanwhile, is seeking a separation of leadership roles at the NSA and US Cyber Command, and wants the NSA to be headed by a civilian.
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"His professionalism, expertise and deckplate leadership have been remarkable during an extremely challenging period for NSA. I know other members of Congress hold him in similarly high esteem," Mr Rogers added.
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And "any decision to end the dual-hatting relationship between NSA and USCYBERCOM should prompt a further review of NSA's organization," Mr Nunes added.
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