Incoming senior officials from the Trump administration have initiated inquiries with career civil servants at the National Security Council (NSC), probing into their voting habits for the 2024 election, their political donations, and any social media activity that could be deemed unfavorable by the team surrounding President-elect Donald Trump. This information comes from an official familiar with the discussions, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the situation.
Some of these career employees, who previously anticipated remaining with the NSC, have reportedly begun gathering their personal belongings after being questioned about their allegiance to Trump. Initially, they had received indications that their positions were secure in the incoming administration, as noted by the aforementioned official.
Trump’s designated national security adviser, Representative Mike Waltz from Florida, has recently made clear his intention to eliminate all nonpolitical appointees as well as career intelligence officials from the NSC before Inauguration Day. He is seeking to ensure that the NSC is composed of individuals who are aligned with Trump’s political objectives.
Removing experts in foreign policy and national security from the NSC at the outset of the new administration could significantly undermine the Trump team’s access to vital expertise and institutional knowledge, particularly as the United States navigates complex policy challenges related to Ukraine, the Middle East, and other regions. Furthermore, such rigorous vetting may discourage new policy experts from expressing any dissent regarding policy decisions.
Jake Sullivan, the current national security adviser, has strongly advocated for retaining career government employees at the NSC during the initial phase of the incoming administration. He emphasized the importance of having a knowledgeable team in place, ready to engage with pressing global issues right after the transition of power.
The civil servants under scrutiny are primarily subject matter experts temporarily assigned to the White House from various federal agencies such as the State Department, FBI, and CIA. If they are removed from their positions at the NSC, they will return to their original agencies.
The inquiries began just last week, with several officials receiving questions about their political affiliations from Trump appointees who had previously encouraged them to remain at the NSC. Numerous civil servants at the directorate level who had expected to continue their roles were caught off guard by these sudden vetting processes.
One official reported that he was warned weeks ago by incoming Trump officials that they would inquire about the political beliefs of career appointees, including those based at the NSC. That official had not yet undergone formal vetting.
Waltz, speaking with Breitbart News, indicated that he expects all NSC staff to resign at precisely 12:01 p.m. on January 20. He expressed his desire for the council to consist of individuals “100 percent aligned with the president’s agenda.” He further mentioned that efforts were underway to ensure all necessary clearances are in place as part of the transition process.
A Trump transition official expressed the belief that it is entirely reasonable to seek out personnel who align with the new president’s vision and collaborative goals. The NSC was established during Truman’s presidency to advise the president on security and foreign policy matters and to facilitate coordination among various government agencies. It is not uncommon for experts to transition between administrations, even when there is a political shift in power.
Sullivan stated that he had not had specific discussions with Waltz regarding staffing decisions and emphasized that it is ultimately the responsibility of the incoming national security adviser to determine their approach. He asserted that the selection of personnel for the NSC should be based on expertise rather than political inclination.
Highlighting the diversity of perspectives among the NSC staff, Sullivan argued that the selection process aims to bring in the best talent from multiple government sectors, including the State Department and the intelligence community. He mentioned that when President Biden assumed office in 2021, he carried over many of his NSC staff from the previous Trump administration, who were notably effective.
During Trump’s first term, the administration faced criticism when two career military officers from the NSC acted as whistleblowers regarding a controversial call made by Trump to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This incident, which involved requests for an investigation into President Biden and his son, led to Trump’s first impeachment.
Alexander Vindman, who was on NSC duty during that call, has since remarked that the current approach to staffing could create a ‘chilling effect’ on senior policy staff within the government. He warned that skilled professionals may choose to either self-censor or completely withdraw from serving in such an environment due to fear of retribution for their principled beliefs.
The Vindmans were subsequently recognized by Democrats as courageous figures for their whistleblowing efforts, while Trump dismissed them as being disloyal. In a recent election, Eugene Vindman was elected as a Democrat to represent Virginia’s 7th Congressional District.
