Incoming senior officials from Trump’s administration have initiated inquiries directed at career civil servants employed on the White House National Security Council (NSC). They are being questioned about their voting choices in the 2024 election, political donations, and any social media activity that may be deemed unacceptable by President-elect Donald Trump’s team, according to information from a U.S. official familiar with the situation.
Some career employees have started to pack their belongings following inquiries about their allegiance to Trump. This comes after they had previously been led to believe they would retain their positions within the NSC during the new administration, as reported by the anonymous official discussing sensitive personnel matters.
Trump’s choice for the national security adviser, Rep. Mike Waltz from Florida, recently made public statements indicating his desire to remove all career and nonpolitical appointees from the NSC by Inauguration Day. This is seen as a move to ensure the council is comprised of individuals who endorse Trump’s political agenda. If this mass removal occurs on the first day of the administration, it could significantly strip the team of critical foreign policy and national security expertise at a crucial time when the U.S. faces challenging international issues, such as conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.
White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan expressed on Monday that he had not been informed by Waltz or other transition officials regarding any planned vetting efforts. However, Sullivan has argued for the importance of retaining career civil servants within the NSC, highlighting them as “patriots” who have served without bias under both Democratic and Republican administrations. Sullivan mentioned that many career appointees have expressed their willingness to remain in service.
The NSC staff members in question are primarily subject matter experts delegated from various federal agencies, such as the State Department, the FBI, and the CIA, typically for one to two years. If these civil servants are dismissed from the NSC, they would revert to their original departments.
The process of vetting civil servants commenced in the previous week, as reported; some officials have already faced political questioning from Trump appointees who promised them they could keep their roles. A significant number of civil servants at the directorate level had anticipated continuing their service at the NSC.
An additional U.S. official revealed that incoming Trump officials had signaled they intended to explore the political affiliations of career appointees at the NSC and other White House sectors. Although this official had not yet been formally vetted, their comments reflect the incoming administration’s approach.
Waltz also remarked last week that he anticipates all current NSC personnel would resign right at noon on January 20, asserting his intention to fill the council with individuals whose views align entirely with the president’s vision. He mentioned ongoing processes to secure necessary clearances for his appointed staff and confirm their transition details.
A Trump transition representative, speaking under the condition of anonymity, stated that it is deemed entirely appropriate for the new administration to seek out officials who share the president’s objectives and focus on mutual goals.
Established during the Truman administration, the NSC serves as a crucial advisory body to the president concerning national security and foreign policy, facilitating coordination among various government entities. It is not unusual for NSC officials to transition from one administration to another, even through party shifts.
Sullivan has remarked that it is ultimately the responsibility of the next national security adviser to determine the operational approach of the council. He underscored that appointees are typically selected based on their qualifications rather than political beliefs, ensuring a diverse assembly of perspectives and experiences within the NSC.
When Biden assumed the presidency in 2021, he retained a majority of his NSC staff from the previous Trump administration, noting their effectiveness in their roles.
Concerns regarding the vetting process have been expressed by Virginia Rep. Gerry Connolly, the leading Democrat on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. He cautioned that such evaluations could undermine national security and hinder timely responses to emerging global threats.
During his presidency, Trump faced significant backlash when two military officers who were detailed to the NSC became whistleblowers about a concerning call he made to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This call ultimately played a role in his first impeachment.
Alexander Vindman, who was present during that call in his role at the NSC, raised alarms with his brother, Eugene Vindman, who served as an ethics lawyer at the NSC. Both reported their concerns to their superiors.
Alexander Vindman commented recently that the staffing approach taken by the Trump team could create a chilling effect on senior policy staff across the government, potentially silencing talented professionals inclined to offer objective advice for fear of repercussions. He urged that self-censorship or reluctance to serve could result from such an atmosphere.
The Vindman brothers were viewed by Democrats as heroes for their actions, while Trump criticized them as disloyal. Recently, Eugene Vindman successfully ran as a Democrat in Virginia’s 7th Congressional District.
