The Trump administration positioned a dramatic variety of Nationwide Safety Council staffers on administrative go away Friday as a part of an company overhaul, a number of shops reported.
The home-cleaning was reportedly overseen by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who’s additionally serving as interim nationwide safety adviser following Mike Waltz’s ouster.
A White Home official instructed Axios that about half the division’s 350 members have been eliminated as a part of an effort to cut back a division filled with workers who don’t align with President Donald Trump’s political agenda.
“The NSC is the ultimate Deep State,” a White Home official instructed Axios. “It’s Marco vs. the Deep State. We’re gutting the Deep State,” the official mentioned, noting that folks faraway from the NSC shall be positioned in different authorities roles.
Rubio additionally oversaw huge cuts on the State Division final month.
The NSC is tasked with advising the president on overseas coverage and different issues of nationwide safety and serving to coordinate insurance policies throughout numerous authorities companies.
DREW ANGERER by way of Getty Photos
However one other White Home official instructed Axios the restructured NSC would serve to “coordinate and advise — not carry out — policy.”
Individuals acquainted with the matter instructed CNN that staffers got lower than an hour to wash out their desks. Additionally they mentioned NSC workers have been not too long ago re-interviewed by the Workplace of Presidential Personnel as a part of a plan to cut back the division.
Sources acquainted with the dismissals additionally instructed The Washington Publish that affected staffers included each profession officers and political appointees.
“The right-sizing of the NSC is in line with its original purpose and the president’s vision,” Rubio instructed Axios in an announcement. “The NSC will now be better positioned to collaborate with agencies.”
Rumblings of Trump’s points with the NSC started circulating in January, when officers revealed that his officers have been questioning division workers about who they voted for within the 2024 election and effectively as wanting into their political donations and social media posts.
Spokespeople for Rubio and the White Home didn’t instantly return requests for remark.
