The head of the National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command is the latest to be fired in President Trump's purge of national security officials. Margaret Brennan has details.

Washington

The recent firings of top officials at the National Security Agency (NSA) and U.S. Cyber Command have raised concerns regarding U.S. cybersecurity. President Trump dismissed General Timothy Hawk, the head of the NSA and Cyber Command, alongside Deputy Wendy Noble and at least six aides from the National Security Council. These dismissals were reportedly discussed in an Oval Office meeting with far-right activist Laura Loomer, who has criticized the officials for alleged disloyalty to Trump.

Laura Loomer, known for her controversial social media presence, suggested that General Hawk was fired due to disloyalty to the president. The decision has drawn criticism from cybersecurity experts, who express concerns about the impact on the U.S.'s defenses against cyber threats from countries like China, Russia, and Iran. Former cybersecurity official Chris Krabs called Hawk the type of leader needed to counter such threats, describing the firing as a setback.

President Trump confirmed that recommendations for personnel changes were made during the meeting with Loomer. There is speculation about potential further changes, including the possibility of separating the NSA from the military, which could enable the appointment of a political ally in a major intelligence role. The NSA's role is critical, as it conducts intelligence collection through various means globally and collaborates closely with military cyber operations.



Trump NSA firings are a 'setback' for U.S. cybersecurity

And the general in charge of the National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command is the latest to be fired in a purge of national security officials. Margaret Brennan has the details. President Trump's firing of the top two leaders of the powerful National Security Agency, Cyber Command General Timothy Hawk and Deputy Wendy Noble, and the dismissal of at least six White House National Security Council aides, followed an extraordinary Oval Office meeting Wednesday between President Trump and far-right activist Laura Loomer. CBS News has learned that Loomer, who has entertained 9-11 conspiracy theories, has a history of anti-Muslim, anti-immigrant social media posts, privately and publicly accused the officials of subverting Trump's agenda and being disloyal. President Trump said he did discuss personnel with Loomer. Laura Loomer is a very good patron. She makes recommendations of things and people. And sometimes I listen to those recommendations, like I do with everybody. I listen to everybody. Chris Krabs, a CBS News consultant, was a top cybersecurity official during the first Trump administration. So Laura Loomer, this far-right activist, said Hawk was fired because he was, quote, disloyal to President Trump. What do you make of that? He's exactly the kind of leader I think we need in that role. It is surprising, and I think it is a bit of a setback for us, as we see China, as we see Russia and Iran getting more and more aggressive in cyberspace to move out one of our most accomplished, distinguished cyber warriors. This went right to the Oval Office, the conversation about these National Security Council officials. There's a short circuit happening here in the traditional process. I think there's a different kind of influence that is informing personnel processes and decisions. And I think that's in part what's just so unusual about the moment. We have really, really capable people in leadership positions that I think are serving the Constitution well, but unfortunately, their time's up in their jobs. And Margaret Brennan joins us now from Washington. Margaret, if you could take us through the scope of what the NSA does and why this is such a big deal today. Well, Maurice, the NSA is arguably the most powerful intelligence collection agency this country has, because they vacuum up information through signals, intelligence intercepts, through cyber collection, through wiretaps. And they do that overseas. They then work hand in glove with the military's cyber command. Now, General Hawk is a four-star general. He was unanimously confirmed by Congress to that job, and he swore an oath of allegiance to the U.S. Constitution no matter who is president. His accuser, Laura Loomer, says his fault is working for the last president. Margaret, and you're hearing there might be more changes in store, perhaps, for this important agency? Yes, John, we are. Actually, CBS has learned that President Trump is considering splitting off the NSA from the military. Other presidents have also considered this and then ruled it out. Doing so, splitting it off, would allow for President Trump to put a political ally at the helm. General Hawk opposed it.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv will do "anything" to advance EU accession talks. Zelenskyy spoke alongside Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, President of the European Council António Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.

Kyiv

Ukraine Invasion

Ukraine will do 'anything' to advance EU accession talks: Zelenskyy

President Donald Trump said Washington will start sending letters to countries on Friday specifying what tariff rates they will face on imports to the United States, a clear shift from earlier pledges to strike scores of individual deals.

Global Tariffs

Trump: Letters telling countries their tariff rate going out Friday

Indonesian rescuers on Thursday (July 3) temporarily halted a search for 30 people still missing after a ferry carrying 65 people sank near the island of Bali with the loss of six lives, the national search and rescue agency said.

Gilimanuk

Indonesia suspends search for 30 missing after ferry sinks near Bali

After marathon debate sessions in the Senate and House, President Donald Trump’s budget bill passed in the House. Republicans secured the biggest win of Trump’s presidency.

Trump’s landmark ‘big, beautiful bill’ narrowly passes U.S. House

Florida says the first group of migrant detainees have arrived at the new immigration detention center known as "Alligator Alcatraz." CBS News correspondent Shanelle Kaul has more.

Ochopee

First group of detainees arrive at "Alligator Alcatraz," Florida says

U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday (July 3) that he spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin and that he plans to hold a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. CBS News White House reporter Willie James Inman has more.

Trump speaks with Putin, plans call with Zelenskyy

CNN’s Priscilla Alvarez reports on a lawsuit from lawyers for Kilmar Abrego Garcia alleging he suffered “torture and mistreatment” after he was wrongfully deported and held in El Salvador’s notorious mega prison.

Tecoluca

Kilmar Abrego Garcia claims he was tortured in El Salvadoran prison

The Kremlin welcomed the development, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov claiming it proves Western arsenals are being depleted and predicting that less aid will hasten the end of the conflict.

U.S. pauses military aid to Ukraine over depleted weapons stockpile

Two contractors employed by UG Solutions spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity as they were revealing their employers’ internal operations.

Jerusalem

U.S. contractors say live ammo used at Gaza aid distribution site

Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries spoke for hours on the House floor about potential impacts of President Trump's "big, beautiful bill" that Republicans are looking to pass before July 4. Following debate, the House is set for a final vote on the massive budget bill.

House debates Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' ahead of final vote

CBS News political contributor Caroline Polisi joins "CBS Mornings" to break down the jury's verdict in Sean "Diddy" Combs' federal trial and the judge's decision to deny bail for the music mogul ahead of his sentencing.

Manhattan

Sean "Diddy" Combs denied bail after split verdict

Liverpool soccer player Diogo Jota has died aged 28, just weeks after marrying his childhood sweetheart. The footballer passed away in a car crash in northern Spain.

Madrid

Liverpool soccer player dies in car crash 10 days after wedding

The Pentagon said that U.S. strikes 10 days ago had degraded Iran's nuclear program by up to two years, suggesting the U.S. military operation likely achieved its goals despite a far more cautious initial assessment that leaked to the public.

Tehran

Iran Strikes

Iran nuclear program degraded by up to two years: Pentagon

Days before his 90th birthday, the Dalai Lama announced the Gaden Phodrang Trust, a non-profit he founded, will have the sole authority to recognize his future reincarnation, but China insists it will choose the successor of the Tibetan spiritual leader.

Lhasa

China rejects Dalai Lama’s succession plan

The U.S. Congress inched towards approving President Donald Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill, despite attempts by Democrats to stop it. The bill is Trump’s signature legislation which includes massive spending increases on the military and immigration enforcement while slashing social programs.

Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill nears approval

Sean (Diddy) Combs was found guilty on prostitution-related charges, but was acquitted on more serious charges of racketeering and sex trafficking giving him a maximum sentence of 20 years. But the courtroom victory was subdued following a judge’s ruling to deny him bail.

New York

Diddy denied bail, avoids life in prison

President Trump says Israel has agreed to a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza, but it remains unclear if Hamas will accept the terms. CBS News senior foreign correspondent Debora Patta has more.

Trump says Israel has agreed to Gaza ceasefire conditions

Bryan Kohberger changed his plea to guilty Wednesday for the 2022 murders of four University of Idaho students. CBS News national correspondent Carter Evans has more on the case.

Boise

New details revealed as Kohberger pleads guilty for 2022 Idaho murders

The Wisconsin Supreme Court struck down a state abortion law that was adopted in 1849 in a 4-3 landmark decision. CBS News' Shanelle Kaul reports.

Madison

Wisconsin Supreme Court strikes down 176-year-old state abortion ban

Macron and Putin held regular discussions around the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with Macron visiting Putin in Russia in February 2022, but dialogue eventually stalled.

Paris

Macron held 'substantial' phone call with Putin

President Trump toured “Alligator Alcatraz,” a migrant detention center he teamed up with Ron DeSantis to build in the Everglades.

Everglades

Protesters gather around ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ as President Trump visits

Jurors in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal criminal trial said they have reached a verdict on four of the five counts, but they cannot reach a verdict on Count 1, which is racketeering conspiracy. The judge has instructed the jury to keep deliberating. Deliberations will resume Wednesday (July 2).

Jury reaches partial verdict in Sean "Diddy" Combs case

The U.S. Senate passed the Republicans' reconciliation bill on Tuesday (July 1) after more than 24 hours of marathon voting on amendments. Vice President JD Vance cast the tie-breaking vote.

U.S. Senate passes Trump's "big, beautiful bill"

The new order does not rescind existing sanctions on ousted longtime President Bashar al-Assad, his top aides, officials and family members who are accused of having committed war crimes and human rights violations against Syrian civilians.

Trump signs executive order lifting U.S. sanctions on Syria

Former criminology graduate student Bryan Kohberger has agreed to plead guilty to killing four Idaho college students in 2022, a move that would spare him the death penalty under a deal with prosecutors, ABC News reported on Monday (June 30).

Moscow

Suspect in murders of four Idaho college students to plead guilty

Thailand's Constitutional Court on Tuesday suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from duty pending a case seeking her dismissal, adding to mounting pressure on a government fighting for survival on multiple fronts.

Bangkok

Thai court suspends PM from duty pending case seeking her dismissal

Israeli strikes killed at least 60 people across Gaza on June 30 in some of the heaviest attacks in weeks as Israeli officials were due in Washington for a new ceasefire push by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Israel strikes pound Gaza, killing 60, ahead of U.S. talks

U.S. President Donald Trump says he's not planning to extend the pause on global tariffs set to expire on July 9. Brian Schwartz, reporter for the Wall Street Journal, joins CBS News to discuss.

Trump says he's not planning to extend July 9 global tariff deadline

The jury has informed the judge in Sean "Diddy" Combs' sex trafficking trial that they have concerns about one juror's ability to follow the court's instructions. Deliberations in the trial are underway.

Jury in Sean "Diddy" Combs trial sends note to judge

Jury deliberations are set to begin in the Sean "Diddy" Combs sex trafficking and racketeering trial. CBS News' Katrina Kaufman has the latest updates.