President Trump’s administration selected Joe Francescon, a former intelligence analyst and counterterrorism aide, as the next deputy director of the National Security Agency (NSA).
“Joe has served our country with distinction at the highest levels of national security, from the Intelligence Community to the Pentagon and overseas,” Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and Defense Department (DOD) Secretary Pete Hegseth said in a Thursday statement to The Hill.
“With his wealth of experience countering foreign threats, Joe is exceptionally qualified to lead the next generation of American cybersecurity experts, spearheading efforts to outmaneuver evolving threats and counter our adversaries,” Gabbard and Hegseth added.
Francescon’s post does not require Senate confirmation.
Francescon, who worked in multiple roles at the DOD and the White House during President Trump’s first term, will succeed Wendy Noble, who along with Director Gen. Timothy Haugh was ousted from her post earlier this year, sparking pushback from Democrats on Capitol Hill.
Earlier on Thursday, far-right activist Laura Loomer posted on that Francescon’s name was sent to the Presidential Personnel Office for consideration as No. 2 at the NSA.
Loomer, who has seen her influence within the White House grow, has been a key driver in some of the administration’s personnel decisions in recent months. Loomer accused Noble and Haugh of being disloyal to Trump.
Francescon has worked as an NSA intelligence analyst from 2008 to 2018. In June of 2018, he joined the White House National Security Council as the acting senior director for the counterterrorism and transnational threats directorate and director for counterterrorism. He joined the DOD in 2020, where he worked as the deputy assistant secretary for special operations.
The current acting NSA director is Lt. Gen. William J. Hartman. He is also the acting Cyber Command head.
Francescon’s appointment was reported earlier by Politico.
Francescon is currently working as the chief external affairs officer at defense contractor DZYNE Technologies, according to his LinkedIn.
“We have confidence and faith that Joe will serve with integrity as a mission-focused leader and faithfully uphold the Constitution and defend the freedom and security of the American people.” Gabbard and Hegseth said in the statement.
