US President Donald Trump has reorganized the National Security Council (NSC), reducing its size by nearly half and transferring many of its powers to the State and Defense departments. The move is aimed at streamlining the decision-making process and eliminating bureaucracy.
According to a White House official, the NSC’s notorious inefficiencies were seen as a major obstacle to Trump’s vision for national security. The restructuring is seen as part of a broader effort to reduce the influence of what Trump calls the “Deep State.”
The new arrangement will see Secretary of State Marco Rubio taking on an even more prominent role in national security affairs, with many officials praising his ability to get things done quickly and efficiently.
Rubio’s elevation as acting national security adviser marks a significant shift for the former Florida senator, who has long been seen as a key ally of Trump. The move is part of a broader trend of dual-hatting in Trump’s second administration, where multiple officials are taking on multiple roles at once.
The reorganization is aimed at improving coordination and advice, rather than carrying out policy. Administration officials point to the success of recent decisions made under Rubio’s leadership, such as the elimination of sanctions against Syria.
While some critics have long argued that the NSC promotes healthy debate and discussion about policies, Trump’s team sees the bureaucracy as unnecessary for this administration. With Rubio at the helm, the focus will be on executing Trump’s vision with speed and efficiency.
Source: https://www.axios.com/2025/05/23/white-house-national-security-council-trump-rubio