A new wave of staffing changes hits the National Security Council as President Donald Trump addresses the ongoing controversy surrounding National Security Advisor Mike Waltz.
According to Fox News, Trump confirmed multiple National Security Council employees were terminated Thursday, further complicating Waltz's political situation following criticism over a Signal chat leak that occurred in March.
The president addressed the firings while aboard Air Force One, emphasizing that the decision affected a small number of staff members. He defended the move by explaining the administration's need to remove individuals who may not align with their objectives or maintain loyalties elsewhere.
The controversy began on March 24 when The Atlantic's editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, revealed he had been inadvertently added to a Signal group chat involving top national security officials. The encrypted messaging platform was being used to discuss strikes against Yemen terrorists.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the situation Monday, stating the White House considers the Signal case closed. She emphasized Waltz's continued importance to the national security team.
Trump has maintained his support for Waltz throughout the controversy, describing him as "a very good man" despite reports suggesting the president's private irritation over the incident.
The Washington Post's revelation about Waltz and National Security Council staff using Gmail for government communication has intensified scrutiny. NSC spokesman Brian Hughes responded to these allegations with a statement:
This is the latest attempt to distract the American people from President Trump's successful national security agenda that's protecting our nation. Let me reiterate, NSA Waltz received emails and calendar invites from legacy contacts on his personal email and cc'd government accounts for anything since January 20th to ensure compliance with records retention, and he has never sent classified material over his personal email account or any unsecured platform.
House Oversight Democrats have launched an investigation into the Gmail usage, adding another layer of complexity to Waltz's challenges.
Recent reports indicate Waltz's office established approximately 20 different Signal group chats for official coordination. The NSC defended this practice, with Hughes explaining:
Signal is an approved, encrypted messaging app and any claim NSC officials sending classified information over these channels is false. It can be used for unclassified messaging and a user has the responsibility to preserve any official record created. Some in NSC, like those in the media and many areas across the federal government, use the Signal app.
The controversy has sparked discussions about communication security protocols within the administration and proper channels for governmental correspondence.
President Trump and his administration have repeatedly defended Waltz while implementing measures to prevent similar incidents. The changes in NSC staffing appear unrelated to activist Laura Loomer's reported presentation of a list of allegedly disloyal staff members.
The administration maintains that no classified material was compromised during the Signal chat incident. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and CIA Director John Ratcliffe confirmed this during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing.
The recent National Security Council staff changes reflect President Trump's broader effort to strengthen his national security team while managing the fallout from Mike Waltz's Signal chat controversy. The administration continues to defend Waltz's position despite mounting pressure from Democratic lawmakers and media scrutiny over communication practices. As investigations proceed and new protocols are implemented, the White House maintains its focus on national security objectives while addressing concerns about information security and staff communication methods.
