The Trump administration dramatically restructured the White House National Security Council (NSC), dismissing over 100 staff members to streamline national security operations.
The overhaul, reported by major outlets like The Washington Post, Reuters, and CNN, consolidates authority under the Departments of State and Defence, reducing the NSC’s role from policy formulation to execution.
The dismissals followed President Donald Trump’s replacement of former National Security Adviser Mike Waltz with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who now serves as interim NSC head. At approximately 4:20 p.m. ET, affected employees received administrative leave notices and were given 30 minutes to vacate their offices in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.
Trump orders massive cuts to National Security Council staff https://t.co/fB7EUTl2qx
— New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) May 24, 2025Shrinking the NSC’s Footprint
This move significantly shrinks the NSC, which had grown to around 300 staffers under President Joe Biden. An unnamed White House official, quoted by Axios, described the restructuring as a battle against bureaucratic overreach, stating, “We’re gutting the Deep State.” Entire directorates handling critical global issues—such as Ukraine, Kashmir, and African affairs—face potential elimination or merger, according to sources familiar with the matter.
The firings align with broader staff reductions under Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency initiative, led by Elon Musk. The initiative has already cut tens of thousands of federal jobs. The administration argues that many NSC functions are redundant and better managed by other agencies.
However, critics, including some Republican lawmakers, caution that downsizing key directorates could impair U.S. responses to global crises, given the NSC’s traditional role in shaping national security policy. The reshuffle also follows a campaign by far-right activist Laura Loomer, who allegedly flagged NSC staffers for perceived disloyalty.
While the Trump team defends the cuts as necessary for efficiency, the rapid restructuring has sparked debate over its long-term impact on national security policymaking.
