Trump's alleged "loyalty assessments" for national security advisers face backlash
The Donald Trump administration's decision to question the political affiliations of staffers on the National Security Council (NSC) and plans to dismiss them at the inauguration has raised concerns among good government groups and Democrats.
According to reports by the Associated Press, incoming senior Trump administration officials are scrutinising the political leanings of NSC staff members. This move has been met with criticism, as these employees are generally from intelligence and national security agencies, and are known for their apolitical nature and expertise in their fields.
Max Stier, president and CEO of the Partnership for Public Service, has spoken out against this move, stating that these employees are the best experts in their fields for maintaining national security. He also suggested that 'loyalty tests' could be a method the Trump administration uses to upend the federal workforce.
Rep. Gerald Connolly, D-Va., has also expressed his concern, stating that partisan loyalty tests have no place in national security. He further added that replacing the experts on the NSC with political cronies threatens national security and the ability to respond effectively to global threats.
Mike Waltz, Trump's pick for national security adviser, has confirmed that all staffers currently on the NSC will be asked to resign at 12:01 on Inauguration Day. In a January 9 interview with Breitbart, Waltz mentioned his intention to 'clear the decks' so that NSC staffers are 'fully aligned with his America First agenda.'
The Vindman brothers, twin brothers who were NSC officials, gained prominence in 2019 when they raised concerns about a phone call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, leading to Trump's first impeachment. Following his acquittal, Trump later fired the Vindman brothers.
Eugene Vindman, one of the twins, has since been elected as a Democratic congressman from Virginia.
Despite the controversy, neither the American Federation of Government Employees nor the National Treasury Employees Union has responded to a request for comment regarding the current situation at the National Security Council.
As the inauguration approaches, the actions of Trump's administration officials continue to raise concerns about the future of the NSC and the potential impact on national security.
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