Trump launches sweeping overhaul of National Security Council
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Staff terminations, vacant posts, and loyalty purges are part of the deep transformation targeting the National Security Council.
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President Donald Trump arrives on Air Force One at Morristown Municipal Airport in Morristown, N.J., Friday, May 23, 2025 (AP)
US President Donald Trump has initiated a major overhaul of the National Security Council (NSC), significantly reducing its size and influence within the administration. The move, which began Friday, reflects a broader effort to realign US foreign policy under Trump’s direction, following the appointment of Secretary of State Marco Rubio as the new national security advisor.
According to five individuals familiar with the matter, the NSC began issuing termination notices to staffers responsible for key global issues. The cuts are expected to shrink the council from its current size to about 50 employees, down from over 300 at its peak under President Joe Biden.
The restructuring is aimed at transforming the NSC from a policymaking hub into a smaller body tasked primarily with implementing the president’s agenda, sources said. This shift is expected to empower the State and Defense departments while diminishing the council's traditional role in shaping national security strategy.
Marco Rubio steps in as National Security Advisor
The changes follow the recent appointment of Marco Rubio, replacing Mike Waltz as national security advisor. The NSC declined to comment on the transition or the scale of the staff changes. Sources suggest that Waltz's departure was accelerated by a controversial incident earlier this year, in which he reportedly shared classified details about a planned bombing campaign in Yemen with a journalist.
Two sources indicated that some of the dismissed personnel may be reassigned to other government roles. Meanwhile, entire directorates, such as those overseeing African affairs and multilateral bodies like NATO, are expected to be merged or eliminated entirely.
In directorates that remain, only a small number of staff will likely be retained, signaling a fundamental reshaping of the NSC’s mission and footprint.
Internal shake-up follows allegations, loyalty concerns
The move comes after several senior officials were dismissed earlier this year, following allegations that they were not politically aligned with Trump. According to sources, these dismissals occurred after far-right activist Laura Loomer provided Trump with a list of NSC personnel she believed to be disloyal.
The NSC has also faced persistent staffing issues, struggling to fill top-tier positions. Key roles, such as the senior post overseeing Latin America, remain vacant or temporarily filled.
The overhaul is one of the most consequential reorganizations of the NSC in decades, significantly reducing its institutional power and redefining its function in American foreign policy. Conservative advocates have long pushed for a smaller NSC, arguing that it duplicates efforts carried out by other agencies.
With the latest round of cuts and the new leadership under Rubio, the NSC’s future appears firmly tied to Trump’s vision for a streamlined national security apparatus focused more on execution than policy development.
