Washington Free Beacon
Former missile defense chiefs slam unprecedented move as national security risk
The Biden administration is planning to break precedent and nominate a civilian to oversee Americaās missile defense operations rather than a military official, sources tell theĀ Washington Free Beaconāa move that former agency chiefs say would put U.S. national security at risk.
The current director of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, vice admiral Jon Hill, is expected to retire later this year. The Biden administration has privately told lawmakers that it canāt find military leaders interested in the position and plans to nominate a civilian to lead the agency for the first time, congressional sources told theĀ Free Beacon.
Although the Department of Defense hasnāt announced any candidates, congressional aides told theĀ Free BeaconĀ that one name being floated is the MDAās civilian executive director, Laura DeSimone, who holds the deputy role at the agency. The Pentagon did not respond to a request for comment.
