Acting director of National Counterterrorism Center fired: report

Russell E. Travers, a longtime intelligence professional, was dismissed from his position as acting director of the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) Wednesday night, two former U.S. officials familiar with the matter told The Washington Post.

Travers was ousted by acting Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell, one former official told the Post.

Travers assumed the acting director position last August and has reportedly resisted White House pressure to cut personnel at the NCTC. Travers’s acting deputy Peter W. Hall, who is reported to be returning to the National Security Agency, has also reportedly been fired.

President Trump, meanwhile, announced he would nominate Pentagon official Christopher Miller to head the NCTC.

The center, established in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks, has more than 900 employees, but amid decreased activity from the Islamic State and al Qaeda some have questioned whether it needs all current personnel, according to the Post.

Travers replaced then-Director Joseph Maguire when Maguire took the role of director of national intelligence.

Trump removed Maguire from the position last month, reportedly angry his deputy had given a congressional committee a briefing on election interference. Grenell, then the ambassador to Germany and known for his personal loyalty to Trump, replaced him on an acting basis, although Trump has nominated Rep. John Ratcliffe (R-Texas) as permanent director of national intelligence.

The Hill has reached out to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence for comment.