Another roadblock faced by Trump’s Cybercom, NSA nominee

The confirmation of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Deputy Chief Army Lt. Gen. Joshua Rudd to lead U.S. Cyber Command and the National Security Agency has been met with opposition from Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., reports Nextgov/FCW.

Wyden argued in a letter entered into the Congressional Record that Rudd has inadequate experience to immediately oversee the nation's intelligence agency and military cyber operations.

"His responses... reveal a lack of familiarity with basic constitutional rights that is incompatible with the position for which he has been nominated," Wyden. This comes as NSA and Cyber Command have been without a permanent chief for months, following the removal of their previous head, Gen. Timothy Haugh, last April.

Rudd has defended his credentials, emphasizing that he has depended on and acted upon intelligence provided by the agencies. Rudd was also regarded by some former officials and China analysts to be capable enough to lead the U.S.'s cyber operations concerning Beijing due to his experience in the Indo-Pacific region.