President Donald Trump’s sweeping overhaul of the National Security Council (NSC) removes over 100 staffers in an unprecedented purge aimed at rooting out “deep state” opposition within the government’s foreign policy apparatus.
Key Takeaways
- Trump has placed over 100 NSC staffers on administrative leave, radically downsizing the council from its bloated size under previous administrations
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio is temporarily serving as National Security Adviser, creating unprecedented coordination between State Department and NSC
- The reorganization aims to prevent career bureaucrats from undermining Trump’s foreign policy agenda
- Critics worry the move could inadvertently empower potentially hostile State Department career officials, where 93% of political donations went to Democrats in 2019-2020
- Former NSC officials suggest increasing the council’s budget to hire loyal staff directly rather than relying on detailees from other agencies
Trump’s Bold Strike Against the “Deep State”
In a decisive move that signals President Trump’s determination to assert control over foreign policy implementation, the administration has placed more than 100 National Security Council staffers on administrative leave. This dramatic reduction represents the most significant reorganization of the NSC in recent memory, cutting personnel by nearly two-thirds and signaling the administration’s intent to streamline operations. The White House has explicitly framed this restructuring as an efficiency measure, but sources close to the administration acknowledge it reflects deeper concerns about bureaucratic resistance to the president’s agenda.
“The National Security Council has been consolidated to facilitate more streamlined processes and greater coordination between the White House and the federal agencies,” said Anna Kelly, White House spokeswoman.
The shake-up includes both career employees and political appointees, reflecting Trump’s long-standing frustration with what his supporters call the “deep state” – career officials perceived as working to undermine his policy objectives. Former NSC director Robert O’Brien has suggested the staff could ultimately be reduced to as few as 60 people, a dramatic decrease from the estimated 350 personnel that staffed the council under previous administrations.
Rubio’s Dual Role Creates Unprecedented Coordination
In a move that underscores the administration’s focus on policy alignment, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has temporarily assumed the role of National Security Adviser while maintaining his State Department leadership position. This unusual dual appointment creates a direct line between America’s chief diplomatic office and the president’s advisory council. Rubio has become a frequent presence in the West Wing, working closely with Trump to ensure foreign policy directives are implemented without deviation or delay. The arrangement represents a significant shift in how national security policy is coordinated at the highest levels.
“We have a lot of people that want the job, I can tell you. I mean, a lot of people say it really works with what [Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s] doing. But we have a lot of people. I’m going to be naming somebody,” said President Donald Trump.
While Rubio’s dual role is temporary, with Trump indicating a permanent National Security Adviser will be appointed within six months, it demonstrates the administration’s commitment to ensuring policy cohesion. By placing a trusted cabinet member in charge of both entities, Trump has created a mechanism to guarantee his foreign policy vision is executed without the bureaucratic resistance that characterized his first term. This arrangement has drawn praise from supporters who view it as a practical solution to ensuring loyalty within the national security apparatus.
The State Department Paradox
The NSC reorganization presents an intriguing paradox for the administration’s anti-deep state efforts. By reducing the NSC’s role and shifting more authority to the State Department, Trump is paradoxically increasing reliance on an institution with documented resistance to conservative policies. Data shows that during the 2019-2020 election cycle, a staggering 93% of political contributions from State Department employees went to Democratic candidates or committees, raising legitimate questions about whether career diplomats will faithfully execute Trump’s foreign policy vision.
“The president is entitled to—and must have—a loyal team to implement his policies and execute his orders, and this includes his National Security Council staff, which has historically been employed to coordinate across the government, but has not always demonstrated loyalty to the president,” said Robert Greenway.
Former NSC officials have proposed an innovative solution to this dilemma: significantly increasing the council’s budget to enable direct hiring of loyal staff rather than relying on detailees from potentially hostile agencies. This approach would transform the NSC from a coordination body staffed by rotating agency personnel into a more independent entity with staff directly accountable to the president. While requiring legislative approval, such a reform would represent a profound shift in how national security policy is managed at the White House level, ensuring greater alignment with the president’s America First agenda.
