President Donald Trump’s National Security Council (NSC) is undergoing significant restructuring, with around 20 staff members on administrative leave and several key positions being reallocated, sources told CBS News.
The changes come weeks after Marco Rubio took over as national security adviser, replacing Mike Waltz. Rubio has stated that he does not have a set departure date for the dual-hatted role.
Former NSC staff are expressing concerns about the impact of the restructuring on the institution’s effectiveness and control over bureaucracy. One former member described it as “terrible” and said that having fewer people could lead to less loyalty among staff.
The changes also include shifts in key positions, such as Vice President JD Vance’s national security adviser Andy Baker taking a top role in the restructured NSC, alongside White House deputy chief of staff Robert Gabriel.
Some of those leaving the NSC include Eric Trager and Alex Wong, who handled Middle Eastern and European matters, respectively. The NSC’s communications team is also being dissolved as part of the restructuring.
The sudden changes have sparked fears about the direction of national security policy under Trump’s leadership, particularly with Rubio at the helm.
Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-national-security-council-trimmed-in-restructuring