House Intelligence Chairman Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) has requested an open-session hearing with Defense Secretary Ashton Carter and Director of National Intelligence James Clapper to discuss a report that the two officials are urging President Obama to dismiss NSA Director Michael Rogers.
Admiral Rogers serves as Director of the National Security Agency (NSA) and Commander of U.S. Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM). Carter has been displeased with Rogers's performance, according to the Washington Post, citing officials requesting anonymity. The Post reported this weekend that Carter and Clapper have recommended that Obama to remove Rogers as head of the two agencies.
Nunes published an open letter Saturday calling for the open hearing.
Meanwhile, the Obama administration has faced criticism for the performance of Cyber Command and the NSA. “Admiral Rogers and the forces he leads have struggled to perform their mission because of the administration's inability to formulate a clear cyber strategy and provide sufficient authorities,” said Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) in a statement.
