Bannon, former chair of the rightwing outlet Breitbart News, was appointed to the NSC in January in a move that observers described as "unprecedented" and cause for alarm. (Photo: Gage Skidmore/flickr/cc)
Apr 05, 2017
President Donald Trump's chief strategist Steve Bannon has been removed from the National Security Council (NSC), according to a White House memo (pdf) released Wednesday.
Homeland Security adviser Tom Bossert's role was already downgraded.
National Intelligence Director Dan Coats and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Marine Corps General Joseph Dunford, meanwhile, were restored as "regular attendees" of the highest-level security meetings. National Security adviser H.R. McMaster will set the agenda.
Progressives said the shakeup was a relief, but that Bannon should be kicked out of the White House altogether.
"The elevation of white supremacists to privileged positions in the White House reveals all you need to know about this presidency," Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif) said. "While I am relieved that Steve Bannon's sick ideology will no longer infect the National Security Council, his continued presence in this administration is alarming to millions of Americans. I urge President Trump to show Steve Bannon the door and purge his administration of dangerous extremists."
Likewise, MoveOn.org Political Action's executive director Ilya Sheyman said the removal of "white supremacist and conspiracy theorist" Bannon will "make America safer....Now it is time to fully remove him from his role in the White House."
Bannon, former chair of the rightwing outlet Breitbart News, was appointed to the NSC in January in a move that observers described as "unprecedented" and cause for alarm.
"To reiterate, the Joint Chiefs of Staff have been removed from the National Security Council and replaced with a white nationalist. Worry," MSNBC's Joy Reid said at the time.
Why Your Ongoing Support Is Essential
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
Nadia Prupis
Nadia Prupis is a former Common Dreams staff writer. She wrote on media policy for Truthout.org and has been published in New America Media and AlterNet. She graduated from UC Santa Barbara with a BA in English in 2008.
President Donald Trump's chief strategist Steve Bannon has been removed from the National Security Council (NSC), according to a White House memo (pdf) released Wednesday.
Homeland Security adviser Tom Bossert's role was already downgraded.
National Intelligence Director Dan Coats and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Marine Corps General Joseph Dunford, meanwhile, were restored as "regular attendees" of the highest-level security meetings. National Security adviser H.R. McMaster will set the agenda.
Progressives said the shakeup was a relief, but that Bannon should be kicked out of the White House altogether.
"The elevation of white supremacists to privileged positions in the White House reveals all you need to know about this presidency," Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif) said. "While I am relieved that Steve Bannon's sick ideology will no longer infect the National Security Council, his continued presence in this administration is alarming to millions of Americans. I urge President Trump to show Steve Bannon the door and purge his administration of dangerous extremists."
Likewise, MoveOn.org Political Action's executive director Ilya Sheyman said the removal of "white supremacist and conspiracy theorist" Bannon will "make America safer....Now it is time to fully remove him from his role in the White House."
Bannon, former chair of the rightwing outlet Breitbart News, was appointed to the NSC in January in a move that observers described as "unprecedented" and cause for alarm.
"To reiterate, the Joint Chiefs of Staff have been removed from the National Security Council and replaced with a white nationalist. Worry," MSNBC's Joy Reid said at the time.
Nadia Prupis
Nadia Prupis is a former Common Dreams staff writer. She wrote on media policy for Truthout.org and has been published in New America Media and AlterNet. She graduated from UC Santa Barbara with a BA in English in 2008.
President Donald Trump's chief strategist Steve Bannon has been removed from the National Security Council (NSC), according to a White House memo (pdf) released Wednesday.
Homeland Security adviser Tom Bossert's role was already downgraded.
National Intelligence Director Dan Coats and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Marine Corps General Joseph Dunford, meanwhile, were restored as "regular attendees" of the highest-level security meetings. National Security adviser H.R. McMaster will set the agenda.
Progressives said the shakeup was a relief, but that Bannon should be kicked out of the White House altogether.
"The elevation of white supremacists to privileged positions in the White House reveals all you need to know about this presidency," Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif) said. "While I am relieved that Steve Bannon's sick ideology will no longer infect the National Security Council, his continued presence in this administration is alarming to millions of Americans. I urge President Trump to show Steve Bannon the door and purge his administration of dangerous extremists."
Likewise, MoveOn.org Political Action's executive director Ilya Sheyman said the removal of "white supremacist and conspiracy theorist" Bannon will "make America safer....Now it is time to fully remove him from his role in the White House."
Bannon, former chair of the rightwing outlet Breitbart News, was appointed to the NSC in January in a move that observers described as "unprecedented" and cause for alarm.
"To reiterate, the Joint Chiefs of Staff have been removed from the National Security Council and replaced with a white nationalist. Worry," MSNBC's Joy Reid said at the time.
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.