In a sweeping move aimed at streamlining national security operations, the Trump administration placed more than 100 National Security Council (NSC) staffers on administrative leave Friday, according to a report from CNN.
The restructuring follows recent changes in leadership at the NSC and reflects President Trump’s renewed focus on consolidating decision-making at the highest levels of government. The changes are part of an effort to reduce bureaucracy and return control of foreign policy strategy to top executive officials.
Most of the affected staffers were career employees temporarily assigned to the NSC from other government departments. They were given short notice to vacate their offices, with an email sent by NSC chief of staff Brian McCormack at approximately 4:20 p.m. instructing them to clear out within 30 minutes.
Those not on site were given instructions to coordinate the return of their devices and collect personal belongings at a later time.
The subject line of the email reportedly read “Your return to home agency,” signaling that these individuals would now be returning to their original government posts. According to CNN, the move impacts more than 100 individuals.
This restructuring comes on the heels of the removal of National Security Advisor