NCTC Director Rasmussen announces retirement

Following a career in counterterrorism and diplomacy that spanned more than two decades, Nicholas Rasmussen recently announced his resignation from his position as director of the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) at the end of the year.

NCTC Deputy Director Russ Travers will serve as acting director until Rasmussen’s successor is nominated National Intelligence Director Daniel Coats announced on Wednesday.

“Nick is deeply committed to the counterterrorism mission and has skillfully guided the nation through an evolving and complex terrorism threat environment,” Coats said. “His service through the Bush, Obama, and Trump administrations has provided essential experience, wisdom, and continuity for the counterterrorism community. With 27 years in government, Nick is a dedicated public servant who served in senior roles at the State Department and the White House before coming to lead NCTC. The Trump administration’s request for Nick to remain as NCTC director is a testament to his outstanding tenure.”

Rasmussen joined the State Department as a presidential management intern in the Bureau of Military Affairs in 1991. He went on to serve as a special assistant, taking part in Arab-Israeli peace negotiations and negotiation of the U.S.-North Korean Agreed Framework.

From 2004-2007, Rasmussen held senior policy and planning positions at NCTC. There, he provided net assessments of counterterrorism policy and strategy for the National Security Council (NSC). He also served as NSC director for regional affairs in the Office of Combatting Terrorism before returning to NCTC in 2007,

U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX), the chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, said Rasmussen has been a dedicated public servant that’s helped navigate unprecedented threat landscape around the world.

“I deeply value his friendship and counsel, and I am grateful for his many appearances in front of this committee to help shed light on the various threats facing our nation,” McCaul said. “His zeal for protecting Americans and cooperation with the committee has been critical to advancing our counterterrorism mission. I’m thankful for Nick’s steadfast leadership and I wish him the best in his retirement.”