Trump Team Probes NSC Civil Servants on Loyalty Ahead of 2024 Election

Washington: So, it looks like the new Trump administration is diving right into things. They’ve started asking National Security Council staff about their political views and who they voted for in the upcoming election. It’s a bit of a shake-up, and some folks are already packing their bags.

Apparently, these career civil servants were told they might stay on, but now they’re being questioned about their loyalty to Trump. It’s got to be a tough spot for them, especially since they thought they had job security. Mike Waltz, Trump’s pick for national security adviser, has made it clear he wants to clear out anyone who doesn’t fully support Trump’s agenda by Inauguration Day.

This could really change the game. If they remove experienced foreign policy experts right off the bat, it might leave Trump’s team without the know-how they need to tackle big issues like Ukraine and the Middle East. Plus, it could make new hires hesitant to voice any concerns about policy.

Jake Sullivan, the current national security adviser, is pushing for the incoming team to keep some of these career employees around, at least for a while. He believes having a knowledgeable team in place is crucial, especially with everything happening globally.

The staff being questioned are mostly experts from various federal agencies, and if they’re let go, they’ll just head back to their original jobs. The vetting process started recently, and it seems some staff were caught off guard since they were previously encouraged to stay.

Waltz has been pretty vocal about wanting a team that’s completely aligned with Trump’s vision. He’s mentioned that everyone will resign right at the start of the new administration, which is a bold move.

It’s not unusual for NSC staff to carry over from one administration to another, regardless of party. Sullivan noted that when Biden took over, he kept many from the Trump era, and they were great at their jobs.

But there’s a history here. During Trump’s first term, some NSC officials raised alarms about his actions, leading to his first impeachment. Alexander Vindman, one of those officials, has warned that this new approach could scare off talented professionals who might fear being dismissed for speaking their minds.

It’s a tense situation, and it’ll be interesting to see how it all plays out as the new administration takes shape.