Marco Rubio initiating significant revisions to the National Security Council structure
Revamped Article:
Marco Rubio, the Secretary of State, steps into a new role as the National Security Advisor in a move set to reshape the National Security Council (NSC). Three individuals privy to the plans informed NBC News about an impending downsizing of the NSC staff and major revisions to its functioning.
The strategy behind shrinking the NSC staff is partly to align its operations more closely with President Donald Trump's decision-making style. Instead of a large team offering policy suggestions, Rubio plans to institute a more top-down structure with Trump directing Rubio, who would then lead the staff to execute his orders, according to two individuals with insider knowledge.
Since the White House, the NSC acts as the central hub for policy coordination across government agencies to guide the president in making foreign policy and national security decisions. Past presidents have fluctuated the staff size, with Trump entering office with 300 staffers, which were pared down to around 150 in January. The proposed cuts may lower the workforce to between 50 and 60, but a final decision remains pending, as per three sources. While Rubio doesn't intend to dismiss any employees, he's expected to reassign them to other agencies, a senior administration official said.
The White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt praised Rubio's work, stating that "under his leadership at the White House, the NSC team will be streamlined to ensure maximum efficiency and coordination with outside agencies."
While en route to the Middle East, Rubio reportedly discussed the NSC structure with Sergio Gor, the White House's director of presidential personnel. Alongside other White House officials, Gor and Rubio evaluated the past three months' data on NSC personnel, leading to a plan to drastically reduce the staff. The data included staff lists, positions, salaries, and identified potential overlaps where multiple staff undertake similar duties, one individual revealed.
Abtaining a smaller staff since its inception, the NSC's size increased from approximately 20 employees under President John F. Kennedy to about 370 by the end of 2010. The Council has been a subject of concern in Congress, with Senator John McCain previously advocating for a limitation to its size.
Mike Waltz, formerly the National Security Advisor, is said to have managed the NSC in a traditional manner inconsistent with Trump's preference. Rubio, on the other hand, is believed to be eager to shift some of the council's responsibilities to agencies like the State Department and CIA. Under the proposed new structure, individual agencies would offer advice to Rubio's team, and if needed, coordinate efforts through appointed representatives, a source privy to the plans said.
The planned reduction in staff follows Trump's decision to terminate some NSC officials in April, shortly after meeting with far-right activist Laura Loomer, who expressed concerns over supposedly "unloyal" individuals within the administration. Rubio is anticipated to continue helming the role of National Security Advisor for at least six months, with potential for his successor to be named by the end of the summer, according to one stakeholder involved in discussions.
- The restructuring of the National Security Council (NSC) under Marco Rubio, the new National Security Advisor, includes a reduction in staff size as part of an effort to align operations more closely with President Donald Trump's decision-making style, moving towards a more top-down structure regarding policy-and-legislation.
- The proposed taxpayer-funded policy changes in the National Security Council's staffing could stir debates in Congress, especially considering Senator John McCain's past advocacy for limiting the size of the Council, and potential consequences for general-news and politics.
