Trump Administration Dismisses Dozens of National Security Council Staff

President Donald Trump's administration has initiated a significant downsizing of the White House National Security Council (NSC), resulting in the dismissal of dozens of staffers, including both career officials and political appointees. The reduction, described by insiders as a "liquidation," is aimed at realigning the NSC with the president's agenda and original purpose, with many former staffers being reassigned to other government roles. Marco Rubio, now acting National Security Advisor and Secretary of State, has overseen the cuts following the ouster of former advisor Mike Waltz, who stepped down amid controversy and internal conflicts. The NSC, previously seen as bloated with a staff size peaking around 400 during the Obama administration, is being streamlined to better facilitate collaboration with other agencies. The staff reductions were reportedly abrupt, with employees given little time to clear their desks, reflecting a broader effort to remove individuals not aligned with Trump's political goals. This shake-up has been confirmed by multiple sources including Financial Times, Axios, CNN, and The Washington Post, highlighting a major restructuring within the administration's national security apparatus.