Multiple sources have revealed that as President Trump takes action to reduce the staffing at the White House National Security Council, the agency began layoffs on Friday (23rd). Several staff members were terminated. According to a report from Politico, the Trump administration is reforming the National Security Council and plans to reduce its workforce from about 350 to fewer than 150 employees. Some insiders indicated that the final staff number might be around 50.

Furthermore, according to Reuters, most of the dismissed staff were responsible for handling significant geopolitical issues. As part of the restructuring, certain departments within the National Security Council are expected to merge with other agencies or be completely eliminated. Insiders claimed that this move by the Trump administration aims to further weaken the National Security Council’s influence, transforming it from a powerful policy-making body into a smaller organization focused more on execution than on setting presidential agendas. This shift will also grant more power to agencies like the State Department and the Department of Defense.

Two sources described chaotic scenes in recent times, noting that some departing staff members even cried on-site at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, where the National Security Council is located. The National Security Council provides the President with advice on national security and foreign policy, participates in decision-making, and coordinates among multiple government departments.