POLITICS Robert O’Brien: More Cuts Coming for National Security Council Staff | 2020-02-12 12:24:38 (Visits: 666 Times) |  | | National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien in the Diplomatic Reception Room at the White House in Washington on Oct. 23, 2019. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)
BY ZACHARY STIEBER February 12, 2020 Updated: February 12, 2020
More cuts are coming soon at the White House National Security Council, National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien said, as part of an effort to make the council streamlined and efficient and to make sure the council staffers are dedicated to carrying out policies chosen by President Donald Trump.
O’Brien, 53, said at a Feb. 11 Atlantic Council talk that officials were bringing the council “back to a manageable size.” The “right-sizing” of the council, which is almost complete, would take the total number of staffers from 175 to 110 by the end of February, he said. The downsizing would target “the bloat and inefficiency that can sometimes creep in.” Some cuts would be complete by the end of the week.
The new cuts come after the removal last week of Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, 44, and Vindman’s brother, Yevgeny Vindman, from the council. Alexander Vindman, who was detailed from the Department of Defense, testified during the impeachment inquiry against Trump;his brother was a lawyer for the council who also detailed from the army. |
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