In a significant shift in strategy, dozens of staff members were dismissed from the White House National Security Council (NSC) on Friday. This move, orchestrated by U.S. President Donald Trump, marks a decisive effort to reduce both the size and influence of this crucial agency, according to a report by Reuters that cited multiple sources familiar with the situation.

The report detailed that staff members who were actively engaged with pressing geopolitical issues—ranging from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine to the complex situation in Kashmir—were among those terminated during the afternoon layoffs. Such a drastic move signals a shift in how national security policy will be formulated and implemented in the coming months.

So, why did President Trump choose to implement such substantial layoffs? This action follows weeks after Secretary of State Marco Rubio took over from Mike Waltz as national security adviser, which may indicate a broader strategic realignment within the administration. Sources revealed to Reuters that the restructuring of the NSC is anticipated to further diminish the agency's influence, effectively transforming it from a powerful policymaking entity into a smaller organization. This new NSC is expected to prioritize the implementation of the president's agenda rather than actively shaping policy.

As a result of this restructuring, more authority is likely to be granted to other key departments and agencies—including the State Department, the Defense Department, and various entities involved in diplomacy, national security, and intelligence matters. This expected shift could significantly alter the landscape of U.S. foreign policy decision-making, as these departments take on a more prominent role.

The Trump administration's goal is to downsize the National Security Council to a leaner team of just a few dozen staffers, with reports indicating that the final headcount could rest around 50 personnel. For context, the NSC was home to over 300 staff members during President Joe Biden's tenure, illustrating the stark contrast in approach between the two administrations. Even prior to the recent layoffs, the NSC under Trump had already been considerably smaller than its Democratic counterpart.

Importantly, staff members who were terminated from the NSC will reportedly be reassigned to other government positions, as indicated by two of the sources. This transition aims to mitigate the impact of the layoffs on the affected employees while still allowing the administration to streamline operations within the National Security Council.

The push for a smaller National Security Council has resonated with many conservatives, who argue that numerous roles within the NSC overlap with functions already performed by other government bodies. Nonetheless, this restructuring has raised concerns among Democrats and some Republicans, who warn that a significant reduction in the NSC could lead to a diminished level of expertise guiding Trump’s national security policies.

The situation surrounding morale at the NSC has recently been tumultuous. Earlier this year, several senior staffers were dismissed after right-wing conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer provided Trump with a list of personnel she claimed were disloyal to his administration. Additionally, the NSC’s reputation took another hit following the revelation that former National Security Adviser Waltz inadvertently disclosed sensitive information regarding an upcoming bombing campaign in Yemen to a journalist from The Atlantic.

In summary, the ongoing restructuring of the National Security Council is poised to further lessen the agency's influence, pushing it towards a model that emphasizes implementation of presidential directives over collaborative policymaking. As the administration continues with these changes, certain divisions within the NSC—known as directorates—are expected to merge with others or be eliminated altogether. Sources indicated that in the few directorates that will remain operational, only a limited number of staff members are likely to be retained.