Trump Removes Bannon From National Security Council
WASHINGTON (CBSNewYork/AP) -- President Donald Trump has removed chief strategist Steve Bannon from the National Security Council, reversing a controversial early decision to give Bannon access to the high-level meetings.
A new memorandum about the composition of the NSC was published in the Federal Register on Wednesday. The memo no longer lists the chief strategist as a member of the Principal's Committee, a group of high-ranking officials that convene to discuss pressing national security priorities.
The new memo also restores the director of national intelligence and the Joint Chiefs chairman to the Principal's Committee.
Bannon's addition to the NSC sparked concerns from Trump critics, who said it was inappropriate for the political adviser to play a role on national security matters.
Despite Bannon's master's degree in national security studies, critics complained a political operative had no place on the council, CBS2's Tony Aiello reported.
The move was portrayed by the White House as a vote of confidence in National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster, rather than a demotion for Bannon.
Trump did not mention the move during his remarks Wednesday.
Bannon is the former head of Breitbart News, and an ex-Navy officer and Goldman Sachs investment banker.
(© Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
