Trump Overhauls National Security Council, Cuts Dozens, Shifts Powers to State, Defense

President Donald Trump has initiated a significant overhaul of the White House National Security Council (NSC), dramatically downsizing its staff and shifting many functions to the State and Defense Departments. This restructuring follows the departure of National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and the temporary appointment of Secretary of State Marco Rubio to lead the NSC. The Trump administration views the NSC as bloated and misaligned with its agenda, aiming to reduce the agency's size and influence by removing political appointees and returning career officials to their original agencies. The changes reflect a broader effort to streamline national security decision-making and curb what the administration describes as the 'Deep State' within the NSC. Critics warn that this downsizing could undermine expertise and the NSC's traditional coordinating role. The overhaul is part of Trump's 'America First' strategy, emphasizing reliance on other federal agencies for foreign policy guidance.