White House National Security Council Unleashes Bold Restructuring: Dramatic Staff Cuts Signal a New Era of Strength

President Donald Trump is embarking on a significant restructuring of the National Security Council (NSC), aimed at reducing its size and reshaping its personnel. Sources familiar with the reorganization indicate that this overhaul will see a substantial decrease in NSC staff, alongside the removal of some political appointees and the reintegration of many career government professionals back into their original agencies.

The NSC underwent a notable shake-up following the departure of Trump’s national security adviser, Mike Waltz, earlier this month. Waltz, who held traditional Republican foreign policy views, was succeeded by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, further enhancing the State Department’s and Pentagon’s roles in shaping foreign policy decisions. However, Trump is known to prioritize his instincts when making key decisions, often above recommendations from his staff.

Established during the Truman administration, the NSC is responsible for advising the president on national security and foreign policy matters while overseeing coordination among various governmental agencies. Throughout his first term, Trump expressed frustration over political appointees who he felt hindered his “America First” agenda. Currently, the NSC employs around 395 individuals, including approximately 180 support staff. Reports suggest that about 90 to 95 policy experts, currently seconded from other agencies, will be offered the option to return to their home departments.

The restructuring is part of an ongoing evolution at the NSC, fueled by Trump’s discontent with certain aides, particularly following a controversial incident involving Waltz and journalist Jeffrey Goldberg. The NSC has faced turmoil since the start of Trump’s second term, including the sidelining of around 160 NSC aides, known as detailees, shortly after the administration began reviewing its staffing to better align with Trump’s goals.

This latest adjustment has been described as a “liquidation” of NSC staffing, with career detailees being reassigned and political appointees being ousted from their roles. An official from the White House, speaking on the condition of anonymity, confirmed the restructuring, originally reported by Axios. Andy Baker, national security adviser to Vice President JD Vance, and Robert Gabriel, an assistant to the president for policy, are set to take on deputy national security adviser roles.

Waltz’s tenure at the NSC was marred by scrutiny, particularly after he added journalist Jeffrey Goldberg to a sensitive text chain regarding military operations in Yemen, a decision he later took responsibility for but could not explain. Criticism from figures such as far-right activist Laura Loomer, who had previously raised concerns about staff loyalty, also contributed to his exit. Loomer, advocating for heightened loyalty to Trump’s “Make America Great Again” platform, expressed discontent over Waltz’s connections to mainstream political figures and his perceived detachment from the MAGA ethos.

Though Waltz shared Trump’s concerns regarding military aid to Ukraine, he diverged on diplomatic strategies toward Russia and Iran, favoring harsher stances that did not align with Trump’s occasionally deferential views of Vladimir Putin. As the NSC continues to adapt under Trump, the focus remains on consolidating influence within the administration and aligning staffing with the president’s evolving foreign policy vision.

Original Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/24/white-house-national-security-council-slashes-staff-in-dramatic-restructuring-reuters.html
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Publish Date: 2025-05-25 02:57:00