In a sweeping move that signals a major shake-up in U.S. foreign policy structure, President Donald Trump has dismissed dozens of officials from the National Security Council (NSC), drastically cutting the once-powerful institution down to size.
The decision, confirmed by sources close to the administration, is seen as an effort to strip the NSC of its policy-making authority. Rather than shaping America’s global strategy, the council will now focus on executing the president’s agenda.
The restructuring is aimed at reallocating decision-making power back to the traditional pillars of U.S. governance — the State Department, the Pentagon, and other key agencies responsible for diplomacy, defence, and intelligence.
“This move effectively sidelines the NSC from most major geopolitical decision-making,” one source familiar with the changes revealed.
Where the NSC once boasted nearly 400 personnel under previous administrations, including around 180 support staff, insiders suggest the final number could shrink to just 50.
Entire sections of the NSC may be eliminated. Among those facing the axe are units dedicated to overseeing African affairs and global institutions such as NATO. The move raises serious concerns about the NSC’s future ability to operate independently or provide a comprehensive global perspective.
Founded during President Truman’s era, the NSC has long served as the nerve centre of U.S. national security strategy. It played a crucial role in navigating major international crises, including those in Ukraine, the Middle East, and Kashmir.
Now, that role appears to be overhauled — if not entirely erased.
Critics have labelled the decision as authoritarian in nature. Many fear that removing seasoned experts from the national security apparatus could leave U.S. policy dangerously uninformed.
“This is not just a reorganisation — it’s a power play,” a former NSC advisor stated. “When you purge expertise, you lose strategic depth.”
This isn’t Trump’s first foray into reshaping national security leadership. Earlier in the year, he removed several senior NSC figures following allegations made by right-wing activist Laura Loomer, who reportedly presented Trump with a list of “disloyal” staff.
In February, he fired the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff — the country’s top military officer — along with other principal advisors across defence and homeland security councils.
Then in April, three Pentagon aides were dismissed amid investigations into leaks about U.S. military operations in Yemen.
As Trump centralises power and dismantles long-standing institutions, foreign policy analysts and national security veterans alike are left wondering — who will steer America through its next crisis?
With the NSC effectively gutted, responsibility now shifts to departments that may be more politically aligned, but potentially less balanced in their advice.
The international community, already wary of Trump’s unpredictable approach, is likely to watch closely. For now, Washington insiders say, the message is clear: loyalty to Trump is in, traditional diplomacy is out.
