Trump’s latest firings have Democrats on edge

It seems as though every time you turn around, you hear a story about how Donald Trump just fired someone else who was appointed by Joe Biden.

The latest were two firings at the NSA, which now have Democrats up in arms and demanding answers.

Who Can Trump Fire

As president, one would think that Trump would have the power to fire just about anyone in the government he decided was not doing their job.

That is not necessarily the case, as some positions are protected, but Trump is walking up to that line and trying to cross it as well, clearly pressing the powers of the presidency.

Trump has targeted several heads of independent agencies, where presidents usually let those terms run out before putting their people in place.

Trump is testing a precedent that was set in 1935, Humphrey’s Executor v. US, which found that the president needs to show cause before dismissing a board member, not just firing them on a whim or because they are not his people. This will surely wind up before the Supreme Court where that precedent will be tested.

Trump Shakes Up NSA Leadership

Trump just shook up DC this week when he decided to fire Gen. Timothy Haugh and civilian Deputy Wendy Noble, who were serving as the Director and Deputy Director of the National Security agency (NSA). Both were appointed by Joe Biden.

Lt. Gen. William Hartman will serve as the acting director and Sheila Thomas was take over as the acting deputy director.

Trump also removed a handful of staffers from agency, stating, "We’re going to let go of people we don’t like, or people we don’t think can do the job, or people who may have loyalties to somebody else.”

This all reportedly took place after Laura Loomer, a right-wing conspiracy theorist and avid Trump supporter, reportedly met with Trump at the White House, reportedly presenting him with “evidence” that supported their removal.

Congress Wants Answers

Due to the fact that Loomer was the key to these firings, it is not at all surprising to see Democrats demanding answers as to why these people were let go. It took Rep. Jim Hines (D-CT) about three seconds to fire off a letter to Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth demanding answers about the terminations.

His letter stated, “Public reporting suggests that your removal of these officials was driven by a fringe social media personality, which represents a deeply troubling breach of the norms that safeguard our national security apparatus from political pressure and conspiracy theories.”

Senator Jack Reed (D-R.I.) joined in, adding, “In addition to the other military leaders and national security officials Trump has fired, he is sending a chilling message throughout the ranks: don’t give your best military advice, or you may face consequences.”

I am not a fan of Laura Loomer at all, so I really question allowing Trump to allow her to have any input at all. There is simply no way, whether she is right or wrong, that will convince voters she is someone that needs to be listened to (and most of the time, her so-called facts are nothing but speculation and wild guesses). I beg you, Mr. Trump, please do not let that woman in the Oval Office ever again.