WASHINGTON — The national security adviser of President Donald Trump has recently taken steps to reassign approximately 160 aides from the National Security Council (NSC), sending these employees home as the administration undertakes a staffing review. This initiative is aimed at ensuring the alignment of the NSC with Trump’s objectives, according to administration officials.
The individuals affected, typically career government employees known as detailees, were gathered for an all-staff meeting where they were informed that while they should remain accessible to the council’s senior directors, they would no longer need to report to the White House. The NSC plays a critical role in offering national security and foreign policy consultations to the president.
President Trump is opting to sideline these experienced professionals—who specialize in various fields from counterterrorism to climate policy—at a crucial moment when the U.S. is navigating multiple complex foreign affairs, including tensions in Ukraine and the Middle East. This strategy may stifle the voices of any new policy experts who might be brought into the NSC, making it less likely for them to raise concerns or alternative viewpoints regarding policy discussions.
Mike Waltz, Trump’s national security adviser, had previously hinted at plans to return holdover civil servants from President Joe Biden’s administration to their original agencies to reinforce the council with individuals committed to Trump’s vision. By the completion of this staffing review, Waltz aims to create a “more efficient, flatter” NSC, although the exact numbers of personnel—both detailees and political appointees—remain undisclosed.
The administration has reportedly started to reintroduce detailees from other agencies whose expertise aligns with the new administration’s values, including several who had formerly served during Trump’s initial term. Certain directors have communicated decisions to send particular detailees back, such as those working in the counterterrorism division who learned this week that their assignments would be cut short.
Some of the affected detailees had their access to White House email accounts revoked shortly after the meeting, while being instructed to stay available through personal mobile phones. During the ongoing review, it appears unlikely they will be assigned any significant responsibilities.
Council spokesperson Brian Hughes stated that Waltz has initiated a comprehensive review of NSC staffing. He expressed that it is essential for personnel within the council to be dedicated to executing President Trump’s America First agenda in order to safeguard national security and utilize taxpayer resources efficiently. Personnel evaluations and resulting decisions commenced from Monday afternoon.
The review impacts a spectrum of subject matter experts sourced from the State Department, the FBI, and the CIA on temporary assignments, typically lasting between one and two years. As part of their evaluation process, incoming Trump officials have reportedly questioned certain career civil servants about their political affiliations, campaign contributions, and potential social media content that could be deemed sensitive by Trump’s team.
In a recent interview, Waltz emphasized his desire for the NSC workforce to be “100 percent aligned with the president’s agenda.” The NSC was established in the Truman era to support the president in areas of national security and foreign policy while ensuring collaboration among various governmental sectors.
Under Biden, national security adviser Jake Sullivan underscored the importance of retaining career government employees during the transition to the Trump administration, referencing them as “patriots” who had faithfully served across administrations.
Trump’s first term was notably challenged by whistleblower incidents involving two career military officers at the NSC who raised alarms about Trump’s 2019 phone call with Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy, wherein Trump solicited an investigation into Biden and his son. This episode ultimately led to Trump’s first impeachment.
Alexander Vindman, serving as an NSC official, expressed concern during that call and sought advice from his brother, Eugene, an ethics lawyer at the NSC at the time. Together, they escalated their concerns to their superiors, marking a significant moment in the unfolding political landscape.
