讀後心得

U.S. President Trump has dismissed National Security Agency Director Timothy Ho, who also serves as the head of the Pentagon's Cyber Command. This personnel change has not been explained by the White House or the Pentagon. Far-right conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer hinted on social media that she may be connected to this matter and criticized Ho for having ties with Trump’s former military advisor Mark Milley, without providing specific evidence. Democrats have expressed strong dissatisfaction with Ho's dismissal, deeming it an absurd decision influenced by the far-right. Since January of this year, Trump has made multiple adjustments to the military leadership.

According to U.S. officials and Congress members, President Trump unexpectedly dismissed National Security Agency Director Timothy Ho. Timothy Ho also headed the Pentagon’s Cyber Command. These unnamed officials indicated that senior military leaders were informed of Ho's dismissal on Thursday. However, neither the White House nor the Pentagon explained the reason for this personnel change.

On Friday, far-right conspiracy theorists on social media appeared to suggest that they had facilitated Ho's dismissal. Previously, U.S. media reported that after a meeting between Trump and the conspiracy theorist, about six National Security Council staffers were fired, and others were reassigned. The activist accused Ho of having connections with retired Army General and Trump critic Mark Milley, and posted on social media: “As an appointee of Biden, General Ho should not be serving in the Trump administration, as he was personally selected by General Milley, who has been accused of treason by Trump.” She did not provide evidence of the alleged connections between Ho and Milley. Milley served as Trump's chief military advisor from 2019 until early 2021, before his relationship with Trump soured. He described Trump as a “full-blown fascist” in a book published last year.

The activist also stated: “All intelligence officials appointed by Obama and Biden seem to lack integrity and the moral awareness not to weaponize their positions… Therefore, everyone left by Biden and Obama should be fired.” Democrats expressed strong dissatisfaction with Ho's dismissal. The chief Democratic member of the Senate Armed Services Committee stated: “I am shocked and outraged that President Trump dismissed this most capable and accomplished general under the influence of a far-right conspiracy theorist.”

The chief Democratic member of the Senate Intelligence Committee referred to the "Signal Gate" scandal, where the Trump administration accidentally added a reporter to an encrypted chat group regarding Yemen airstrike plans. He wrote on social media: “This is absolutely absurd and unbelievable: Trump initially refused to fire those officials who shamed the U.S. in 'Signal Gate' and endangered the lives of American troops, yet he heeds the advice of a self-proclaimed ‘white nationalist’ to dismiss the nonpartisan, experienced General Ho.” Since January of this year, Trump has executed a massive reshuffle of senior military officials.