President Trump has cut more than 100 staffers from the National Security Council, halving its size in a dramatic push to realign the agency with his “America First” foreign policy agenda.
At a Glance
- Over 100 National Security Council staffers dismissed in a single week
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirms NSC “right-sizing” to align with original mission
- NSC staff reduced from about 300 to roughly 150 employees
- Rubio is temporarily serving as both Secretary of State and National Security Adviser
- Critics call the move a purge; supporters say it restores accountability and trims bloat
The Largest NSC Restructure in Decades
The Trump administration has executed its most sweeping national security restructuring to date, cutting the National Security Council staff by more than half. This unprecedented shakeup aims to return the NSC to its foundational role: advising the president on national security policy and coordinating between federal agencies.
The NSC, often staffed by detailees from the CIA, Pentagon, and State Department, had grown to around 300 members—far beyond what the administration deemed necessary. Critics say the Council had morphed into a “shadow bureaucracy” that slowed or blocked presidential initiatives. Trump’s new directive, approved and implemented with stunning speed, reduces that figure to about 150.
Watch a report: Trump’s NSC Shakeup Redefines National Security.
Rubio’s Dual Role Mirrors Kissinger Era
In an unusual but not unprecedented move, Marco Rubio is currently serving in a dual capacity as both Secretary of State and National Security Adviser—an arrangement last seen under President Nixon with Henry Kissinger. The consolidation of power enables tighter control over foreign policy and allows for swifter implementation of executive directives.
“The right-sizing of the NSC is in line with its original purpose and the president’s vision,” Rubio told Axios. “The NSC will now be better positioned to collaborate with agencies.” Reports indicate some staffers had as little as 30 minutes to vacate their offices, underscoring the administration’s no-nonsense approach to reform.
Critics Alarmed, Supporters Reassured
Opponents call the mass dismissals a “purge” of career public servants. Civil liberty groups warn the restructuring reduces independent oversight and consolidates power in politically loyal hands. However, NSC leadership has pushed back, emphasizing that the staff changes restore presidential authority over national security policy.
“As anyone who has had the privilege of working here in the White House knows, it’s a tremendous honor to support the executive office,” said Brian McCormack, chief of staff to the national security adviser. “Every president is entitled to have the staff and advisers needed to implement the goals that the American people elected him to pursue.”
Supporters say the shakeup finally cuts through bureaucratic inertia. For years, NSC staff had grown increasingly autonomous, often outlasting administrations and allegedly shaping policy from behind the scenes. Trump’s move, while controversial, sends a message that national security will be directed from the top—not managed from the middle.
