Trump\u2019s cyber chief pick tells lawmakers he\u2019ll assess efficacy of Cybercom-NSA dual-hat role, if confirmed | DefenseScoop<\/title> <meta name=\"description\" content=\"Army Lt. Gen. Joshua Rudd told lawmakers he would "remain objective about that relationship\u201c and "assess continuously if that is the most effective way to lead those two organizations,\u201d if confirmed.\"> <link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/defensescoop.com\/2026\/01\/15\/gen-rudd-cybercom-nsa-dual-hat-cyber-force\/\"> <meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\"> <meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\"> <meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Trump\u2019s cyber chief pick tells lawmakers he\u2019ll assess efficacy of Cybercom-NSA dual-hat role, if confirmed\"> <meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Army Lt. Gen. 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tabindex=\"-1\"> <\/p>\n<div class=\"ad ad--top ad--top-mobile\">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section id=\"stickybar\" class=\"stickybar stickybar--newsletter js-stickybar\" readability=\"0.82\"> <button class=\"stickybar__close js-stickybar-close\" aria-controls=\"stickybar\"> <svg class=\"icon icon--close\" width=\"21\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 21 22\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"m.822.518-.805.805L9.695 11 .017 20.678l.805.805 9.678-9.678 9.677 9.678.806-.805L11.305 11l9.678-9.677-.806-.805-9.677 9.677L.822.518Z\" fill=\"currentColor\" \/><\/svg> <span class=\"visually-hidden\">Close<\/span> <\/button> <\/section>\n<article class=\"single-article content\">\n<div class=\"single-article__container js-single-article-content\">\n<header class=\"single-article__header \" readability=\"27.267745952677\">\n<div class=\"single-article__header-content\" readability=\"37.21568627451\">\n<p> \u201cIf I\u2019m confirmed for this, I think my role is to be objective about that as that comes up, or if it continues to come up as a topic,\u201d Rudd said. <\/p>\n<p>  <br \/>\n<audio id=\"audio-player\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-tts-cdn.api.scpnewsgrp.com\/defensescoop\/123453\/english.openai.mp3\"><\/audio> <\/p>\n<div readability=\"11\">\n<div>\n<p>Listen to this article<\/p>\n<p>  <\/p>\n<p>0:00<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>  <\/p>\n<p> <span id=\"tts-tooltip\">Learn more.<\/span> <span> This feature uses an automated voice, which may result in occasional errors in pronunciation, tone, or sentiment. <\/span> <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>  <\/div>\n<div class=\"single-article__cover-wrap\">\n<figure class=\"single-article__cover\"> <img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"640\" height=\"426\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/trumps-cyber-chief-pick-tells-lawmakers-hell-assess-efficacy-of-cybercom-nsa-dual-hat-role-if-confirmed.jpg?resize=640%2C426&ssl=1\" class=\"single-article__cover-image wp-post-image\" alt decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\"><figcaption> US Army Lt. Gen. Joshua M. Rudd, nominee for Director of the National Security Agency, Chief of Central Security Service, and Command of US Cyber Command, testifies during a Senate Committee on Armed Services hearing on his nomination on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on January 15, 2026. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski \/ AFP via Getty Images) <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"single-article__content\">\n<div class=\"single-article__content-inner has-drop-cap\"> <html readability=\"50.223708487085\"><body readability=\"101.66491375684\"><\/p>\n<p>In a confirmation hearing with lawmakers on Thursday, President Donald Trump\u2019s nominee for top uniformed cyber chief said he would evaluate the efficiency of the dual-hat leadership role between U.S. Cyber Command and the National Security Agency if he\u2019s confirmed to the job, touching on one of the community\u2019s most heated policy debates.<\/p>\n<p>Army Lt. Gen. <a href=\"https:\/\/defensescoop.com\/2025\/12\/18\/joshua-rudd-cyber-command-nsa-director-trump-nominee\/\">Joshua Rudd<\/a>, who is currently the deputy commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific, was asked by multiple Senate Armed Services Committee members about the two organizations he may inherit, and what he thought about their current leadership structure.<\/p>\n<p>Rudd said that throughout his career \u2014 which is largely based in special operations \u2014 he\u2019s seen a \u201cdemonstration of effectiveness, as well as efficiency\u201d under the dual-hat role held by the Cybercom commander and NSA director.<\/p>\n<p>He added that \u201cthe ability for that individual to continue to harness and integrate the incredible capabilities of both those organizations I think is a component that enables\u201d both agencies \u201cto provide great support to our warfighters.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"ad ad--inline_1 \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>However, he left the door open for change.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf I\u2019m confirmed for this, I think my role is to be objective about that as that comes up, or if it continues to come up as a topic,\u201d Rudd said. <\/p>\n<p>In another response, he said that he would \u201cassess continuously if that is the most effective way to lead those two organizations.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Cybercom, which became fully operational as a combatant command in 2010, has been physically located alongside the NSA at Fort Meade, Maryland. The two organizations have also shared a leader.<\/p>\n<p>Last April, Trump axed Gen. Timothy Haugh as Cybercom commander and NSA director, reportedly at the behest of a far-right conspiracy theorist over disloyalty claims.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ad ad--inline_1 \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>In contrast to Rudd, the current acting head of both organizations, Lt. Gen. William Hartman, took a more <a href=\"https:\/\/breakingdefense.com\/2025\/04\/acting-cybercom-chief-says-dual-hat-nsa-role-key-to-speed-in-cyberspace\/\">forceful<\/a> stance in defending the dual-hat position he inherited following the ouster during a congressional hearing last year.<\/p>\n<p>When Cybercom was just getting off the ground, it leaned on the NSA for personnel and infrastructure with the expectation that the structure would be temporary. Since then, one leader has remained in charge of both organizations.<\/p>\n<p>The NSA is a powerful cyberespionage organization and Cybercom has grown in size and authority since its inception, becoming increasingly involved in military operations such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2026\/01\/15\/us\/politics\/cyberattack-venezuela-military.html\">the mission to capture Venezuela\u2019s president Nicolas Maduro<\/a> earlier this month.<\/p>\n<p>Critics of the dual-hat role contend that the two organizations are too powerful for one person to oversee and that overt military operations could clash with the clandestine nature of the NSA. Others \u2014 including both Republican and Democratic lawmakers \u2014 have said the dual-hat nature is essential for quick and precise cyber ops.<\/p>\n<p>During Trump\u2019s first term, administration officials <a href=\"https:\/\/www.c4isrnet.com\/cyber\/2020\/12\/19\/rep-smith-warns-pentagon-about-splitting-up-cyber-command-and-nsa\/\">reportedly<\/a> drew up a plan to split the leadership role, which was met with an immediate and forceful rebuke from some members of Congress. In 2024, The Record <a href=\"https:\/\/therecord.media\/cyber-command-nsa-dual-hat-trump\">reported<\/a> that transition advisors for then President-elect Trump were making plans to split the role.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ad ad--inline_1 \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Rudd also addressed the dual-hate role in written <a href=\"https:\/\/www.armed-services.senate.gov\/imo\/media\/doc\/rudd_apq_responses3.pdf\">responses<\/a> to senators\u2019 advance policy questions ahead of his confirmation hearing. He said that missions between the two organizations \u201cmust be coordinated\u201d and that the \u201cability to fuse intelligence and operations at speed is a decisive advantage.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>If confirmed, he told lawmakers that he would be \u201ccommitted to ensuring the unity of effort that this arrangement provides continues to deliver results\u201d but would continue \u201cto assess if this is the most effective way to support the warfighter.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>His hearing also comes after the Pentagon recently established a revised cyber force generation model and amid heated debate about potentially creating a standalone \u201cCyber Force\u201d as an independent military service focused on the digital realm. DefenseScoop <a href=\"https:\/\/defensescoop.com\/2025\/11\/17\/dod-revised-cyber-force-generation-model-cybercom-experts-reaction\/\">reported<\/a> that the launch of the updated force generation model would give Trump \u201cdecision space\u201d for future organizational changes.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/defensescoop.com\/2025\/11\/17\/dod-revised-cyber-force-generation-model-cybercom-experts-reaction\/\">Advocates for creating a Cyber Force<\/a> argue that some of the problems facing the military cyber community can only be solved with a standalone service, while opponents of the idea say it would be disruptive.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe need to give them time to work,\u201d Rudd said in his written responses about \u201cservice-like\u201d authorities for Cybercom and enhanced budget control. \u201cBefore considering a major reorganization like creating a new service, I would want to understand the results of the ongoing studies mandated by Congress and work with this committee to determine the best path forward for the force.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><\/body> <\/p>\n<footer class=\"single-article__footer\" readability=\"6.5526315789474\">\n<div class=\"author-card\" readability=\"20\">\n<div class=\"author-card__avatar\">\n<figure class=\"author-card__image-wrap\"> <img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"author-card__image\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/trumps-cyber-chief-pick-tells-lawmakers-hell-assess-efficacy-of-cybercom-nsa-dual-hat-role-if-confirmed.png?w=640&ssl=1\" alt=\"Drew F. Lawrence\"> <\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><h4 class=\"author-card__name\">Written by Drew F. Lawrence<\/h4>\n<p> Drew F. Lawrence is a Reporter at DefenseScoop, where he covers defense technology, systems, policy and personnel. A graduate of the George Washington University\u2019s School of Media and Public Affairs, he has also been published in Military.com, CNN, The Washington Post, Task & Purpose and The War Horse. In 2022, he was named among the top ten military veteran journalists, and has earned awards in podcasting and national defense reporting. Originally from Massachusetts, he is a proud New England sports fan and an Army veteran. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"single-article__tags-container\">\n<h4 class=\"single-article__tags-title\">In This Story<\/h4>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/footer>\n<p> <\/html><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"single-article__ads js-single-article-sidebar\">\n<div class=\"ad ad--sidebar js-single-article-sidebar-5 ad--rightrail_1 \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ad ad--sidebar js-single-article-sidebar-4 ad--rightrail_2 \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ad ad--sidebar js-single-article-sidebar-3 ad--rightrail_3 \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"popular-stories popular-stories--single-post\">\n<div class=\"popular-stories__container\">\n<h2 class=\"popular-stories__title\"> More Scoops <\/h2>\n<div class=\"popular-stories__stories\">\n<div class=\"popular-stories__cards\">\n<article class=\"post-item post-item--popular-stories-cards \" readability=\"16.503546099291\">\n<figure class=\"post-item__thumbnail\"> <a class=\"post-item__thumbnail-link\" href=\"https:\/\/defensescoop.com\/2025\/11\/17\/dod-revised-cyber-force-generation-model-cybercom-experts-reaction\/\" tabindex=\"-1\"> <img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"494\" height=\"337\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/trumps-cyber-chief-pick-tells-lawmakers-hell-assess-efficacy-of-cybercom-nsa-dual-hat-role-if-confirmed-1.jpg?resize=494%2C337&ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-ratio-16-9-md size-ratio-16-9-md wp-post-image\" alt=\"U.S. Cyber Command\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/trumps-cyber-chief-pick-tells-lawmakers-hell-assess-efficacy-of-cybercom-nsa-dual-hat-role-if-confirmed-4.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/trumps-cyber-chief-pick-tells-lawmakers-hell-assess-efficacy-of-cybercom-nsa-dual-hat-role-if-confirmed-4.jpg?resize=300,205 300w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/trumps-cyber-chief-pick-tells-lawmakers-hell-assess-efficacy-of-cybercom-nsa-dual-hat-role-if-confirmed-4.jpg?resize=768,524 768w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/trumps-cyber-chief-pick-tells-lawmakers-hell-assess-efficacy-of-cybercom-nsa-dual-hat-role-if-confirmed-4.jpg?resize=1024,698 1024w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/trumps-cyber-chief-pick-tells-lawmakers-hell-assess-efficacy-of-cybercom-nsa-dual-hat-role-if-confirmed-4.jpg?resize=1536,1047 1536w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/trumps-cyber-chief-pick-tells-lawmakers-hell-assess-efficacy-of-cybercom-nsa-dual-hat-role-if-confirmed-4.jpg?resize=600,409 600w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/trumps-cyber-chief-pick-tells-lawmakers-hell-assess-efficacy-of-cybercom-nsa-dual-hat-role-if-confirmed-4.jpg?resize=246,168 246w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/trumps-cyber-chief-pick-tells-lawmakers-hell-assess-efficacy-of-cybercom-nsa-dual-hat-role-if-confirmed-4.jpg?resize=494,337 494w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/trumps-cyber-chief-pick-tells-lawmakers-hell-assess-efficacy-of-cybercom-nsa-dual-hat-role-if-confirmed-4.jpg?resize=990,675 990w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/trumps-cyber-chief-pick-tells-lawmakers-hell-assess-efficacy-of-cybercom-nsa-dual-hat-role-if-confirmed-4.jpg?resize=1236,843 1236w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 494px) 100vw, 494px\"> <\/a><figcaption class=\"screen-reader-text\"> Inside U.S. Cyber Command at Fort Meade, Maryland. (Josef Cole \/ DOD \/ U.S. Cyber Command) <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<header class=\"post-item__meta\" readability=\"0.92146596858639\">\n<h3 class=\"post-item__title\"> <a class=\"post-item__title-link\" href=\"https:\/\/defensescoop.com\/2025\/11\/17\/dod-revised-cyber-force-generation-model-cybercom-experts-reaction\/\"> Pentagon touts revised cyber force generation model, but some experts say it\u2019s insufficient <\/a> <\/h3>\n<p> Some observers say the U.S. military needs an independent service focused on cyber. <\/p>\n<div class=\"post-item__byline\"> <span class=\"post-item__author\"> <span>By <\/span> <a class=\"post-item__author-link\" href=\"https:\/\/defensescoop.com\/author\/jharper\/\"> Jon Harper <\/a> <\/span> <\/div>\n<p> <\/header>\n<p> <\/article>\n<article class=\"post-item post-item--popular-stories-cards \">\n<figure class=\"post-item__thumbnail\"> <a class=\"post-item__thumbnail-link\" href=\"https:\/\/defensescoop.com\/2025\/10\/27\/adm-kevin-lunday-coast-guard-commandant-nomination-trump\/\" tabindex=\"-1\"> <img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"252\" height=\"168\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/trumps-cyber-chief-pick-tells-lawmakers-hell-assess-efficacy-of-cybercom-nsa-dual-hat-role-if-confirmed-2.jpg?resize=252%2C168&ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-ratio-16-9-sm size-ratio-16-9-sm wp-post-image\" alt decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/trumps-cyber-chief-pick-tells-lawmakers-hell-assess-efficacy-of-cybercom-nsa-dual-hat-role-if-confirmed-5.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/trumps-cyber-chief-pick-tells-lawmakers-hell-assess-efficacy-of-cybercom-nsa-dual-hat-role-if-confirmed-5.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/trumps-cyber-chief-pick-tells-lawmakers-hell-assess-efficacy-of-cybercom-nsa-dual-hat-role-if-confirmed-5.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/trumps-cyber-chief-pick-tells-lawmakers-hell-assess-efficacy-of-cybercom-nsa-dual-hat-role-if-confirmed-5.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/trumps-cyber-chief-pick-tells-lawmakers-hell-assess-efficacy-of-cybercom-nsa-dual-hat-role-if-confirmed-5.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/trumps-cyber-chief-pick-tells-lawmakers-hell-assess-efficacy-of-cybercom-nsa-dual-hat-role-if-confirmed-5.jpg?resize=600,400 600w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/trumps-cyber-chief-pick-tells-lawmakers-hell-assess-efficacy-of-cybercom-nsa-dual-hat-role-if-confirmed-5.jpg?resize=252,168 252w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/trumps-cyber-chief-pick-tells-lawmakers-hell-assess-efficacy-of-cybercom-nsa-dual-hat-role-if-confirmed-5.jpg?resize=506,337 506w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/trumps-cyber-chief-pick-tells-lawmakers-hell-assess-efficacy-of-cybercom-nsa-dual-hat-role-if-confirmed-5.jpg?resize=1013,675 1013w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/trumps-cyber-chief-pick-tells-lawmakers-hell-assess-efficacy-of-cybercom-nsa-dual-hat-role-if-confirmed-5.jpg?resize=1265,843 1265w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 252px) 100vw, 252px\"> <\/a><figcaption class=\"screen-reader-text\"> Adm. Kevin Lunday, acting Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, claps during the 144th Commencement Exercises at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, May 21, 2025. (DHS photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Mikaela McGee.) <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<header class=\"post-item__meta\">\n<h3 class=\"post-item__title\"> <a class=\"post-item__title-link\" href=\"https:\/\/defensescoop.com\/2025\/10\/27\/adm-kevin-lunday-coast-guard-commandant-nomination-trump\/\"> Trump nominates cyber expert for Coast Guard commandant <\/a> <\/h3>\n<div class=\"post-item__byline\"> <span class=\"post-item__author\"> <span>By <\/span> <a class=\"post-item__author-link\" href=\"https:\/\/defensescoop.com\/author\/jharper\/\"> Jon Harper <\/a> <\/span> <\/div>\n<p> <\/header>\n<p> <\/article>\n<article class=\"post-item post-item--popular-stories-cards \">\n<figure class=\"post-item__thumbnail\"> <a class=\"post-item__thumbnail-link\" href=\"https:\/\/defensescoop.com\/2025\/09\/18\/katherine-sutton-assistant-secretary-of-defense-cyber-policy-confirmation\/\" tabindex=\"-1\"> <img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"252\" height=\"168\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/trumps-cyber-chief-pick-tells-lawmakers-hell-assess-efficacy-of-cybercom-nsa-dual-hat-role-if-confirmed-3.jpg?resize=252%2C168&ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-ratio-16-9-sm size-ratio-16-9-sm wp-post-image\" alt decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/trumps-cyber-chief-pick-tells-lawmakers-hell-assess-efficacy-of-cybercom-nsa-dual-hat-role-if-confirmed-6.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/trumps-cyber-chief-pick-tells-lawmakers-hell-assess-efficacy-of-cybercom-nsa-dual-hat-role-if-confirmed-6.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/trumps-cyber-chief-pick-tells-lawmakers-hell-assess-efficacy-of-cybercom-nsa-dual-hat-role-if-confirmed-6.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/trumps-cyber-chief-pick-tells-lawmakers-hell-assess-efficacy-of-cybercom-nsa-dual-hat-role-if-confirmed-6.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/trumps-cyber-chief-pick-tells-lawmakers-hell-assess-efficacy-of-cybercom-nsa-dual-hat-role-if-confirmed-6.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/trumps-cyber-chief-pick-tells-lawmakers-hell-assess-efficacy-of-cybercom-nsa-dual-hat-role-if-confirmed-6.jpg?resize=600,400 600w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/trumps-cyber-chief-pick-tells-lawmakers-hell-assess-efficacy-of-cybercom-nsa-dual-hat-role-if-confirmed-6.jpg?resize=252,168 252w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/trumps-cyber-chief-pick-tells-lawmakers-hell-assess-efficacy-of-cybercom-nsa-dual-hat-role-if-confirmed-6.jpg?resize=506,337 506w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/trumps-cyber-chief-pick-tells-lawmakers-hell-assess-efficacy-of-cybercom-nsa-dual-hat-role-if-confirmed-6.jpg?resize=1013,675 1013w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/trumps-cyber-chief-pick-tells-lawmakers-hell-assess-efficacy-of-cybercom-nsa-dual-hat-role-if-confirmed-6.jpg?resize=1265,843 1265w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 252px) 100vw, 252px\"> <\/a><figcaption class=\"screen-reader-text\"> The U.S. Capitol, pictured near the Pentagon building in Arlington, Virginia, on December 14, 2024. (Photo by Tom Brenner for The Washington Post via Getty Images) The U.S. Capitol, pictured near the Pentagon building in Arlington, Virginia, on December 14, 2024. (Photo by Tom Brenner for The Washington Post via Getty Images) <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<header class=\"post-item__meta\">\n<h3 class=\"post-item__title\"> <a class=\"post-item__title-link\" href=\"https:\/\/defensescoop.com\/2025\/09\/18\/katherine-sutton-assistant-secretary-of-defense-cyber-policy-confirmation\/\"> Katherine Sutton confirmed as Pentagon cyber policy leader <\/a> <\/h3>\n<div class=\"post-item__byline\"> <span class=\"post-item__author\"> <span>By <\/span> <a class=\"post-item__author-link\" href=\"https:\/\/defensescoop.com\/author\/jharper\/\"> Jon Harper <\/a> <\/span> <\/div>\n<p> <\/header>\n<p> <\/article>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> <\/div>\n<p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <\/p>\n<section class=\"latest-podcasts\">\n<h2 class=\"latest-podcasts__title\"> Latest Podcasts\t<\/h2>\n<\/section>\n<p> <\/main> <\/p>\n<div class=\"ad ad--bottom \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"interstitial\" class=\"welcome__container\"> <button id=\"close-modal-1\" class=\"welcome__clickable_area\"><\/button> <\/p>\n<div class=\"welcome__ad_wrapper\">\n<p> <button id=\"close-modal-3\" class=\"welcome__continue-button\">Continue to DefenseScoop<\/button> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>   <\/body> <a href=\"https:\/\/defensescoop.com\/2026\/01\/15\/gen-rudd-cybercom-nsa-dual-hat-cyber-force\/\">Source<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Trump\u2019s cyber chief pick tells lawmakers he\u2019ll assess efficacy of<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1540,117,272],"tags":[1542,119,278],"class_list":["post-8268","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-cyber-command","category-government","category-nsa","tag-cyber-command","tag-government","tag-nsa"],"featured_image_urls":{"full":"","thumbnail":"","medium":"","medium_large":"","large":"","1536x1536":"","2048x2048":"","chromenews-featured":"","chromenews-large":"","chromenews-medium":""},"author_info":{"display_name":"Cyber Scoop","author_link":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/author\/cyberscoop\/"},"category_info":"<a href=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/category\/cyber-command\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Cyber Command<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/category\/government\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Government<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/category\/nsa\/\" rel=\"category tag\">nsa<\/a>","tag_info":"nsa","comment_count":"0","jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8268","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8268"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8268\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8268"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8268"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8268"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}

{"id":8268,"date":"2026-01-15T16:56:11","date_gmt":"2026-01-15T22:56:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/?p=87461"},"modified":"2026-01-15T16:56:11","modified_gmt":"2026-01-15T22:56:11","slug":"trumps-cyber-chief-pick-tells-lawmakers-hell-assess-efficacy-of-cybercom-nsa-dual-hat-role-if-confirmed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/2026\/01\/15\/trumps-cyber-chief-pick-tells-lawmakers-hell-assess-efficacy-of-cybercom-nsa-dual-hat-role-if-confirmed\/","title":{"rendered":"Trump\u2019s cyber chief pick tells lawmakers he\u2019ll assess efficacy of Cybercom-NSA dual-hat role, if confirmed"},"content":{"rendered":"