Donald Trump’s incoming National Security Adviser, Mike Waltz, has announced plans to overhaul the National Security Council (NSC) when Trump assumes the presidency for a second term. Waltz stated that all career intelligence officials and detailees assigned to the NSC will have to resign by 12:01 p.m. on January 20, the day Trump is inaugurated.
Speaking to Breitbart News, Waltz said, “Everybody is going to resign at 12:01 on January 20. We’re working through our process to get everybody their clearances and through the transition process now.” He said that only individuals fully aligned with Trump’s “America First” agenda would serve on the NSC.
The NSC, led by the National Security Adviser, is a critical body that advises the President on security issues. It includes a mix of political appointees and details—career government officials from agencies like the FBI, CIA, and Pentagon. These details provide expertise and help coordinate the government’s efforts to implement the President’s decisions.
During Trump’s first term, the NSC faced challenges, including pushback from career officials like Alexander Vindman. Vindman testified during Trump’s first impeachment trial about an “improper” phone call with Ukraine’s President.
Waltz said steps are being taken to prevent such situations in the future. “Our folks know who we want out in the agencies,” he said, adding that the new NSC would consist of people “100 percent aligned” with Trump’s agenda.
Vindman criticized the move, calling it a “dangerous precedent.” In a post on X, he stated that prioritizing loyalty over expertise would discourage talented professionals from serving.
Further, the post stated, “This undermines the NSC’s purpose: to provide the president with the best possible advice,” Vindman wrote. He added that a loyalty-based approach could weaken the institution’s ability to handle global challenges and lead to reckless policymaking.
In a post on X, Waltz dismissed concerns, stating, “We will clear the decks to Make America Great Again.”
He also confirmed that the new NSC team would be fully dedicated to Trump’s vision despite fears of eroding institutional expertise.
The changes signal a critical shift in how the NSC will operate, prioritizing alignment with the President’s policies over maintaining the traditional mix of political and career professionals.
