Trump’s national security adviser Mike Waltz sent home 160 National Security Council aides while the Trump administration undergoes staffing reviews to ensure personnel support Trump’s America First agenda.
The career government employees were told on Wednesday that they are not needed to report to the White House. The council is responsible for briefing the president on national security and foreign policy advice, but insists despite staffing shakeups they have what is needed to fulfill their mission.
“National Security Advisor Mike Waltz promised and authorized a full review of NSC personnel. It is entirely appropriate for Mr. Waltz to ensure NSC personnel are committed to implementing President Trump’s America First agenda to protect our national security and wisely use the tax dollars of America’s working men and women,” NSC spokesperson Brian Hughes said in a statement.
“Since 12:01 pm on Monday personnel reviews and decisions based on the evaluations are being made,” Hughes said.
In a recent interview with Breitbart News, Waltz indicated that he wanted the NSC to be staffed by personnel who are “100 percent aligned with the president’s agenda.”
-ABC News’ Kelsey Walsh