Trump’s team is questioning NSC staff about their political loyalties as they prepare for the new administration
Washington: So, it looks like the Trump team is really digging into the National Security Council staff. They’re asking career civil servants about their political views and who they voted for in the upcoming election. Some folks are even packing up their things because they feel the heat.
Apparently, Trump’s pick for national security adviser, Mike Waltz, wants to clear out nonpolitical appointees and bring in people who are totally on board with Trump’s agenda. This could mean losing a lot of experienced experts just when the U.S. needs them most, especially with all the global issues going on.
Jake Sullivan, the current national security adviser, is pushing for the new administration to keep some of these career employees around. He thinks it’s crucial to have a knowledgeable team ready to tackle the challenges right from the start.
The staff being questioned are mostly experts who’ve been detailed to the NSC from other agencies like the State Department and CIA. If they get booted, they’ll just head back to their original jobs. It’s a bit of a mess, really.
Vetting started recently, and some staff members are feeling uneasy after being asked about their political leanings. Many were expecting to stay on, but now it’s all up in the air. Waltz has made it clear he wants a team that’s completely aligned with Trump’s vision.
He’s been vocal about wanting everyone to resign right at the start of the new administration. It’s a big shake-up, and it’s got people worried about how it’ll affect the NSC’s ability to function effectively.
Historically, the NSC has had a mix of experts from different backgrounds, regardless of their political views. Sullivan mentioned that when Biden took over, he kept a lot of the Trump administration’s NSC staff because they were good at their jobs.
But now, with this new approach, there are concerns that talented professionals might hold back their opinions or even decide not to serve at all. It’s a tricky situation, and it’s got a lot of people talking.
