WASHINGTON — On Wednesday, President Donald Trump’s national security adviser made a significant change by sending approximately 160 aides from the National Security Council (NSC) home as the administration undertakes a staffing review to better align with Trump’s agenda.
These career civil servants, referred to as detailees, were notified during an all-staff call that their presence at the White House would no longer be required. Instead, they will be on standby and should be available to respond only when contacted by senior NSC officials. The NSC’s role is vital as it offers national security and foreign policy counsel to the president.
Brian McCormack, who serves as chief of staff to national security adviser Mike Waltz, conveyed this information during a brief phone call. He indicated that those affected are expected to remain on call, stating that it is a significant privilege to support the Executive Office of the President. McCormack emphasized that every president has the right to appoint a team that aligns with their objectives, which the American public elected Trump to pursue.
This adjustment comes at a critical moment when the United States faces a range of complex foreign policy challenges, such as ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. By sidelining these nonpartisan experts, Trump’s administration could be creating an environment where newly introduced policy advisors feel less inclined to voice differing opinions on crucial issues.
Waltz had previously indicated his intention to revert civil servants who had been part of the NSC during President Joe Biden’s tenure back to their original agencies to ensure alignment with Trump’s agenda. Officials have noted that the new objective is to form a “more efficient, flatter” NSC, while specifics about the future makeup of the council—both for nonpolitical detailees and political appointees—remain undisclosed.
In a bid to replenish the NSC with personnel that fit the administration’s values, some detailees with relevant expertise have already been brought over, including those who were part of Trump’s initial administration. Decisions have also been made to cut short the assignments of several detailees, particularly within the counterterrorism unit, as revealed by a couple of anonymous insiders privy to these developments.
Following the notification call, many detailees had their emails deactivated and were instructed to remain available through personal phones while it is not expected they will perform any notable tasks during this evaluative phase. Council spokesperson Brian Hughes confirmed that Waltz initiated a comprehensive review of NSC personnel to ensure alignment with Trump’s America First initiative. He mentioned that personnel decisions have been actively carried out since the administration’s start on Monday.
The staff impacted mainly consists of subject-matter experts from agencies such as the State Department, the FBI, and the CIA, usually serving temporary assignments of one to two years. Additionally, incoming officials have scrutinized some career civil servants regarding their political affiliations, contributions to campaigns, and any social media activity that could be perceived as problematic by Trump’s team, according to an insider.
Waltz articulated his desire for the NSC to be exclusively populated by personnel whose principles are entirely aligned with President Trump’s plans. Established during the Truman administration, the NSC’s primary function has been to provide guidance on national security and foreign policy while ensuring interagency coordination. It is typical for experts to transition from one administration to another, even across party lines.
Conversely, during Biden’s presidency, national security adviser Jake Sullivan advocated for maintaining career governmental experts within the NSC, labeling them as patriots who have served apolitically across multiple administrations.
Trump’s initial term was marred by incidents involving career military officials who raised alarms about a controversial phone call he made in 2019 with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which subsequently led to his first impeachment. Alexander Vindman, who was monitoring the call as an NSC official, reported his troubling observations, which subsequently involved legal counsel and led to higher-level discussions about the president’s conduct.
