national security | Enem Insights

**Meet Lisa Monaco, Microsoft Executive Trump Wants Fired**

*By Dwaipayan Roy | Sep 27, 2025, 11:36 AM*

**What’s the Story?**

US President Donald Trump has called on Microsoft to fire its head of global affairs, Lisa Monaco. Trump accused Monaco of being a “menace” to national security and linked his demand to ongoing legal cases against him.

Lisa Monaco was appointed as Microsoft’s head of global affairs in June 2025. Prior to this role, she served prominently in the Barack Obama and Joe Biden administrations.

**Accusations: ‘Corrupt and Totally Trump Deranged’**

In a post on Truth Social, Trump described Monaco as “corrupt and totally Trump deranged.” He argued that her previous government roles posed national security risks due to Microsoft’s extensive contracts with US government agencies.

Furthermore, Trump alleged that Monaco’s past actions led to the US government stripping her of all security clearances and access to national security intelligence.

**Background: A Look at Lisa Monaco**

Lisa Monaco has a notable career in public service. She served as Deputy Attorney General under President Biden and was a national security advisor during the Obama administration. She also played a key role in coordinating the Justice Department’s response to the January 6 Capitol attack.

Trump’s demand for her dismissal is consistent with his history of targeting perceived political opponents since returning to office in January 2025. His previous pressure campaigns include demanding the resignation of Intel’s CEO and influencing Disney’s ABC regarding Jimmy Kimmel’s show.

**Ongoing Scrutiny: Microsoft’s Contracts Under Review**

Lisa Monaco’s LinkedIn profile confirms her current position at Microsoft. However, as of now, there is no public indication that Microsoft will respond to Trump’s demand for her removal.

Microsoft itself is under intense scrutiny due to its contracts with US government agencies. The company recently made headlines for restricting certain cloud services to a unit of the Israeli military following concerns about alleged surveillance practices.

Meanwhile, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella recently attended a White House dinner featuring Trump and other leading figures in the tech industry, highlighting the complex relationship between tech companies and government officials.

—

*Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.*
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/world/trump-demands-microsoft-fire-global-affairs-head/story

**NASA Is Now a Spy Agency, Thanks to Trump’s Executive Order**

*By Akash Pandey | Sep 18, 2025, 06:23 PM*

—

**What’s the Story?**

Late last month, the Trump administration quietly issued an executive order redesignating NASA as a national intelligence and security agency. This pivotal change means NASA’s main functions will now officially include “intelligence, counterintelligence, investigative, or national security work.”

The update was first reported by Keith Cowing, founder of NASA Watch and a former NASA scientist. This marks a significant departure for the agency, which has spent the past 67 years primarily focused on space exploration and scientific research.

—

**Employee Unrest: Protests Erupt Over Status Change**

The decision to shift NASA’s status has not been met without resistance. Employees have raised concerns, particularly regarding the inclusion of NASA under the Federal Service Labor-Management Relations Statute (FSLMRS). This inclusion effectively excludes employees from collective bargaining rights, which many view as an attack on labor protections.

In response, protests have been organized, including a notable demonstration outside NASA’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., earlier this week.

—

**Budget Impact: Proposed Cuts and the Space Race with China**

Alongside the executive order, the Trump administration has proposed nearly a 25% cut to NASA’s 2026 budget. Funding would fall from $24.8 billion to $18.8 billion, with the bulk of the reductions affecting NASA’s science programs.

Despite these cuts, acting NASA chief Sean Duffy has emphasized the administration’s goal of beating China to the Moon and Mars, signaling a focus on competitive space exploration amid rising geopolitical tensions.

—

**NASA’s Uncertain Future**

These developments come at a turbulent time for NASA. The White House has threatened to slash the agency’s science budget by up to 50% in the next fiscal year, risking delays or cancellations of dozens of major space missions.

While some lawmakers have suggested revising the proposed budget to ease the impact, NASA faces a critical crossroads as it adapts to the administration’s new direction.

—

*Stay tuned for updates on NASA’s evolving role and the broader implications for space exploration and national security.*
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/business/nasa-designated-as-national-security-agency-in-trump-executive-order/story

Enem Insights

Tag Archives: national security

NASA is now a spy agency, thanks to Trump’s order