President Trump Delivers on His Promise to Shrink Government and Restore Order in Washington
Washington, D.C. — In a powerful move to clean up Washington and dismantle the bloated bureaucracy left behind by the Biden administration, President Donald J. Trump has launched a full-scale overhaul of the White House’s National Security Council (NSC). Dozens of officials have been fired, reassigned, or placed on leave—signaling a sharp return to Trump’s America First strategy.
Bureaucratic Bloat Meets the Trump Axe
The restructuring, which some insiders are calling a “liquidation,” is the most dramatic NSC shake-up in decades. Roughly 160 staffers were abruptly sidelined as Trump’s team began slashing layers of what critics say became an unaccountable shadow government during the previous administration.
President Trump, determined to downsize the federal machine, has sent many of these career officials back to their home agencies—restoring oversight and draining the swamp one department at a time.
Mike Waltz Removed Amid Controversy — But Promoted to Key Diplomatic Role
The clean-up began with the removal of Mike Waltz as NSC director, following a scandal involving internal communications. However, Trump quickly nominated Waltz to become U.S. ambassador to the United Nations—proof that loyalty and results still matter in this administration. In the meantime, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stepped in as acting national security adviser.
Entire NSC Teams Dismantled — Especially Those Focused on China
Reports from Axios, CNN, and the Financial Times confirm that Trump’s purge includes the removal of full task forces, including those focused on China and Asia policy. While Ivan Kanapathy remains as senior director for Asia, most of his team has been disbanded.
NSC Staff Given Just 30 Minutes to Pack and Leave
The downsizing wasn’t subtle. NSC Chief of Staff Brian McCormack reportedly told affected staff they had just 30 minutes to collect their belongings and vacate the premises—sending a crystal-clear message that the days of unchecked power and bloated salaries are over.
Experts Say Trump Is Restoring the NSC’s True Role
Dennis Wilder, a former senior NSC official under President George W. Bush, said the NSC under Biden had “become bloated” and often took it upon itself to create policy rather than coordinate it. “There’s no question,” Wilder told the Financial Times, “that Trump’s team is putting it back in its rightful place.”
A Return to Accountability and National Sovereignty
With the NSC now operating at a reduced—but more focused—capacity, it’s clear President Trump is once again proving he means business. The conservative base has long called for a reduction in federal overreach and a reset of the D.C. power structure. Now, under Trump’s leadership, that vision is becoming a reality.