Wyden to block confirmation for NSA director, citing lack of experience

Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) speaks at a press conference with other Senate Democrats on December 16, 2025. Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images

Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., is moving to halt Lt. Gen. Joshua Rudd’s confirmation to run U.S. Cyber Command and the National Security Agency, arguing that the nominee lacks the relevant credentials required for the post.

Rudd currently serves as deputy commander at U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and has held other senior leadership roles during his military career. He has not previously held a military cyberintelligence role.

In a letter lodged in the Congressional Record on Wednesday, Wyden — a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee — wrote that Rudd “does not have the background that would allow him to immediately step into” the role of leading the foreign eavesdropping agency and digital combatant command.

Wyden also took issue with Rudd’s responses to questions in his confirmation ...