White House chief strategist Steve Bannon attended a National Security Council meeting shortly after news reports surfaced that he had been removed from the council by President Donald Trump, CNBC reported Thursday.
Two officials whose positions on the NSC were downgraded when Bannon was appointed, Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Marine Corps General Joseph Dunford, have been reinstated.
Trump administration officials reportedly wanted to shrink the NSC's size after its time under Susan Rice, a former national security adviser for President Obama.
Bannon, 63, a former film producer and media executive, was elevated to the National Security Council's principals committee on January 28, 2017.
The reshuffling of Trump's security council will strengthen the roles of top-ranked intelligence and defense officials, including National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster, who will gain greater control over both the NSC and Homeland Security Council, Bloomberg reported.
Head of House conservatives: Tax reform possible by August
House Energy and Commerce Committee staff briefed on the technical side of everything and circulated some of their own language. It also requires them , under " guaranteed issue " rules, to offer coverage to all who want it.
Politico also noted that, per numerous sources, Bannon has not gotten along with the president's son-in-law and senior adviser, Jared Kushner.
In a presidential memo dated April 4, Mr. Bannon no longer appears on the list of regular attendees of NSC meetings. Also added to the Principals Committee: Secretary of Energy Rick Perry.
The official dismissed questions about a power struggle between Bannon and McMaster, saying they shared the same world view. This official said that process had been completed. Bannon was placed on the committee "to help return the NSC to its proper policy coordinating role".
Critics of Bannon's role were anxious he would politicize a body traditionally viewed as a candid and nonpartisan source of national security information to the president.
The White House did not respond to Anadolu Agency's request for comment.
Comments