Articles in this Cluster
03-05-2025
The White House offered Rep. Mike Waltz multiple ambassadorships, including to Saudi Arabia, before he accepted the role of U.N. ambassador, sources say. Waltz was national security adviser for just over 100 days before being moved out of the position by President Trump. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to take on dual roles as interim national security adviser and top diplomat, with Waltz's final day at the White House scheduled for Friday. Trump considers the Saudi Arabia ambassadorship a consequential post and has been selective about filling it.
03-05-2025
The White House is working to determine how Secretary of State Marco Rubio will balance his role with the additional responsibility of interim national security adviser, a position he was recently assigned by President Donald Trump. The decision was made quickly, and logistical questions remain unanswered, such as whether Rubio will move into the national security adviser's West Wing office and how much of his State Department portfolio he will hand off to his deputy. Officials are concerned that Rubio cannot effectively serve in both roles, as they require different responsibilities and are extremely demanding. Rubio is expected to stay in the role for up to six months while Trump considers a permanent replacement.
03-05-2025
The Trump administration plans to cut staffing at the CIA and other intelligence agencies, including the National Security Agency. The CIA workforce will be reduced by 1,200 over several years, with several hundred already opting for early retirement, and the NSA and other agencies will also see thousands of positions cut. The reductions will be achieved partly through reduced hirings, and layoffs are not expected to be necessary. The CIA stated that the changes are part of a strategy to align with Trump's national security priorities and "infuse the Agency with renewed energy."
03-05-2025
The CIA plans to cut over 1,000 staff positions through attrition over the next few years as part of the Trump administration's effort to shrink the federal government. The agency will not conduct mass firings, instead relying on normal attrition, including retirements and resignations. The CIA has around 22,000 employees and other intelligence agencies are also planning reductions. The cuts are part of an effort to make the agency's workforce "responsive to the administration's national security priorities."
