Trump's NSA Pick Faces Election Security Scrutiny

The nominee to lead the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) pledged to protect American elections from foreign interference during a Senate hearing. This promise comes after President Donald Trump removed the previous NSA director in April. The President has also reduced some defenses against cyberattacks. The nominee stated he would provide "unvarnished" advice to the President. He emphasized that his duty is to defend the nation's digital systems, including election infrastructure. Senators from both major parties expressed deep concern about ongoing election threats. They questioned how the nominee would operate independently if confirmed for the role. The NSA is a critical agency for gathering intelligence and defending U.S. government networks from digital espionage.