President Trump has made significant changes to his national security team, appointing Marco Rubio as the national security adviser earlier this month. This decision comes as part of a broader shake-up, which has already seen dozens of staffers at the National Security Council (NSC) dismissed. Sources report that these staffers were informed of their termination on a Friday afternoon and told to leave within the hour.
The White House has not provided any official comments regarding the dismissals or the reasons behind them. However, this move raises questions about Rubio’s role, as he is also serving as secretary of state. His dual position is quite unusual and suggests that he is gaining influence within the Trump administration. This staff shake-up occurred just weeks after Rubio took charge of the NSC, which plays a crucial role in shaping U.S. foreign policy.
The NSC typically has between 200 to 300 staffers, many of whom are assigned from other government departments like the Pentagon and CIA. Over the years, there have been calls to reduce its size, and recent reports indicate that efforts to streamline the council are underway. For example, the Middle East division of the NSC is reportedly cutting its staff from ten to five.
This restructuring echoes the tumultuous reshuffling seen during Trump’s first term, where national security roles frequently changed. Currently, while Rubio is at the helm, other key foreign policy issues are being handled by Steve Witkoff, a longtime friend of Trump with no prior national security experience. Witkoff is now leading negotiations on significant matters, including the Iran nuclear deal and the conflict in Ukraine.
In addition to changes at the NSC, Defense Secretary Hegseth announced new restrictions for reporters covering the Pentagon. Reporters will now need to be escorted by Pentagon officials when leaving designated media areas, reversing a long-standing policy that allowed greater access to journalists. This move has drawn criticism from the Pentagon Press Association, which views it as an attack on press freedom.
As the Trump administration continues to adjust its national security approach, many are watching closely to see how these changes will impact U.S. foreign policy in the coming months.