Brace yourselves, Washington—President Donald Trump is swinging the axe again at the National Security Council (NSC) with a fresh round of dismissals that hit on Friday.
The Daily Caller reported that under Trump’s second administration, which kicked off in January, a wave of firings across D.C. departments, including this latest NSC purge of both career officials and political appointees, signals a no-nonsense push to align staff with the president’s vision.
Since taking office for his second term, Trump has been reshaping the federal landscape, letting go of employees in various sectors as part of a broader agenda to streamline operations in the capital.
It’s clear the administration isn’t playing around when it comes to loyalty and efficiency. And let’s be honest, in a town often bogged down by bureaucratic inertia, a little shake-up might just be the wake-up call needed.
Back in April, the NSC saw its first batch of terminations under this administration, following a visit by activist Laura Loomer to the White House.
Axios reported that Loomer presented research to Trump highlighting NSC members who allegedly lacked loyalty to his cause. Well, turns out actions have consequences, and those staffers found themselves packing their desks.
Trump himself didn’t mince words about the April cuts, telling reporters, “We’re always going to let go of people.” He’s not wrong—government shouldn’t be a cozy club for those who don’t align with the elected leader’s goals. But one wonders if this revolving door risks losing valuable expertise in the process.
Fast forward to May, and the NSC drama took another turn with the departure of National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, whose exit was tied to a messy controversy dubbed “Signalgate.” It’s a reminder that even high-ranking roles aren’t immune to the administration’s high standards. Or, perhaps, high drama.
The “Signalgate” saga began in March when Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, revealed he was accidentally added to a group chat on the secure messaging app Signal.
In that chat, select Trump cabinet members were discussing military action against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. Talk about a digital oops that could’ve stayed behind closed doors.
Mike Waltz, during a Fox News interview, admitted to creating the Signal group but denied knowing Goldberg or having his contact information.
Sounds like a classic case of tech gone rogue, but in national security, even small slip-ups can snowball. One has to question if tighter controls on sensitive communications are overdue.
Beyond the chat fiasco, Axios reported that Waltz struggled to mesh with White House staff, despite Vice President JD Vance’s efforts to smooth things over. Sometimes, teamwork just doesn’t click, and in politics, that can cost you your seat at the table. It’s a tough lesson, but not a surprising one in this high-stakes environment.
By May, Trump announced Waltz’s nomination as Ambassador to the United Nations, a move that followed reports of Waltz stepping down from his advisory role amid the controversy. It’s a lateral shift, perhaps, but one that keeps Waltz in the game on the international stage. A graceful exit, or a strategic pivot? You decide.
Stepping into Waltz’s former role as acting National Security Advisor is Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a trusted figure in Trump’s circle.
This transition signals a consolidation of power among key advisors who share the president’s outlook. It’s a smart play to keep the NSC’s direction tightly aligned with the administration’s goals.
Meanwhile, the latest round of NSC dismissals on Friday continues the pattern of house-cleaning that started earlier this year. While the exact number of staffers let go remains unclear, the mix of career officials and political appointees suggests a broad sweep. No one’s safe when the mission is to root out misalignment.
These firings, coming on the heels of the April cuts and Waltz’s departure, paint a picture of an administration laser-focused on loyalty over legacy.
It’s a bold stance, especially when career officials—often the backbone of institutional knowledge—are shown the door. But in Trump’s world, results trump tenure every time.