President Donald Trump is taking bold steps to reshape Washington bureaucracy yet again, this time setting his sights on the bloated National Security Council (NSC). Secretary of State Marco Rubio, currently serving as interim national security adviser, confirmed the administration is indeed “right-sizing” the NSC, aligning the vital foreign policy body more closely with President Trump’s America First vision.
In an official statement to Axios on May 23, Rubio stated clearly, “The right-sizing of the NSC is in line with its original purpose and the president’s vision. The NSC will now be better positioned to collaborate with agencies.” This marks the first official confirmation of recent reports alleging significant staff cuts and an overhaul at the influential White House council, which has long been criticized as unwieldy and disconnected from the president’s core policy objectives.
Let’s be clear about what’s at stake: the NSC was established in 1947 to streamline national security policy and coordinate interagency efforts. Yet, over the decades—especially under the Obama and Biden administrations—it ballooned into a sprawling bureaucracy, rife with political appointees who often undermined rather than implemented the elected president’s agenda. This bureaucratic bloat has contributed to needless delays and policy confusion, weakening America’s stance on the global stage.
President Trump’s latest move is not merely a managerial decision. It’s a strategic realignment, bringing the NSC back to its intended role as a tight-knit, efficient body directly serving the commander-in-chief. Trump understands that when agencies become too large, too politicized, and too disconnected from elected leadership, the American people’s mandate is diluted, and the nation’s security is compromised.
Speculation about the scale of the restructuring has been rampant, with reports suggesting many NSC staffers—both political and career—will be returned to their original agencies. This signals a renewed emphasis on agency accountability and reduces redundancy within the federal government. By returning these staffers to their home agencies, Trump is empowering departments such as Defense, State, and Homeland Security to reclaim their rightful responsibilities in national security policy.
Critics, of course, have already begun to howl. But let’s remember: the NSC was never meant to be a massive policy-making powerhouse. It was designed to advise the president and coordinate policy—not write it, not dictate it, and certainly not obstruct it. As Brian McCormack, chief of staff to the national security adviser, rightly reminded staff after Trump’s inauguration, “Every president is entitled to have a staff and the advisers that they need to implement the goals that the American people elected him to pursue.”
The Trump administration’s goal is clear: eliminate unnecessary bureaucratic layers, streamline decision-making, and ensure that the NSC is fully aligned with America First priorities. Whether it’s confronting China, securing the southern border, reviving American manufacturing, or ending endless foreign wars, President Trump needs an NSC that works for him—not against him.
Rubio’s dual role as Secretary of State and interim national security adviser echoes a proven historical model. Henry Kissinger famously held both positions during the Nixon and Ford administrations, providing cohesive leadership and strategic clarity. Rubio’s appointment is a clear sign that President Trump values experienced, focused leadership in these critical roles. The president has nominated former adviser Mike Waltz as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, and while a permanent NSC adviser has yet to be named, it’s clear Trump trusts Rubio to guide these crucial reforms in the interim.
We don’t yet have details on exactly when Trump’s NSC restructuring will be completed, nor do we have a full picture of how deep the cuts will go. But one thing is certain: Trump is taking decisive action to ensure the NSC finally serves the American people—not the swamp. This restructuring is yet another powerful demonstration of Trump’s fearless commitment to putting America first, restoring accountability, and making sure Washington answers directly to the voters, not the entrenched bureaucratic establishment.
