Trump, Rubio plotting to overhaul National Security Council
President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have unveiled a bold plan to revamp the National Security Council and redistribute its core responsibilities to other key government agencies such as the State and Defense departments. This strategic move marks the latest in a series of efforts by the Trump administration to streamline federal agencies, following the recent announcement of former National Security Advisor Mike Waltz’s departure from his White House post. Interestingly, Waltz was simultaneously nominated to serve as the United Nations ambassador, indicating a significant reorganization within the administration’s national security apparatus.
The proposed restructuring of the National Security Council includes downsizing the agency and reassigning key personnel to other roles within the government. Andy Barker, the national security advisor for Vice President JD Vance, and Robert Gabriel, assistant to the president for policy, are slated to take on new positions as deputy national security advisors in this realignment plan. Axios was the first to report on these restructuring efforts, with a White House official confirming the details to Fox News Digital.
According to sources within the White House, President Trump and Secretary Rubio are driving this overhaul to combat the entrenched bureaucracy often referred to as the “Deep State” in Washington. A White House official described the National Security Council as the epitome of the Deep State and emphasized the administration’s commitment to dismantling it. This indicates a clear intention to shake up the traditional power structures within the national security realm and align them more closely with the administration’s priorities.
The National Security Council, located within the White House, plays a crucial role in advising the president on matters of national security, military strategy, and foreign policy. Waltz’s departure from the agency was precipitated by his involvement in the Signal chat controversy, where he, along with other administration officials including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, faced scrutiny over strike plans against the Houthis in March.
Since Waltz’s exit, Secretary Rubio has assumed the role of national security advisor in addition to his existing responsibilities leading the State Department and serving in other key governmental positions. The administration is also in the process of dismantling the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), with the State Department absorbing its operations and programs. This move, aimed at enhancing the efficiency of foreign assistance programs, will require significant staff reductions within USAID.
In conclusion, the Trump administration’s efforts to overhaul the National Security Council and streamline the government’s national security apparatus reflect a broader strategy to shake up entrenched bureaucratic systems and align them with the administration’s policy priorities. As Secretary Rubio takes on an expanded role in national security matters, the administration is poised to implement significant changes that could reshape the landscape of US foreign policy and national security strategy.
