Latest news with #NationalSecurity
Reuters
9 hours ago
- Business
- Reuters
White House National Security Council hit by more departures, sources say
WASHINGTON, July 15 (Reuters) - Two senior officials at the White House National Security Council have left their roles in recent days, according to two sources familiar with the moves, the latest departures for a body that has been cut sharply in recent months. Ian Bennitt, the senior director for maritime and industrial capacity, and Brian McCormack, the NSC's chief of staff, both departed last week, said the sources, who requested anonymity to discuss sensitive personnel moves. Bennitt is expected to leave for the private sector, the sources said, while McCormack is slated to become chief of staff for Republican Senator Bill Hagerty, a Trump ally. Hagerty's office had already said last week that McCormack would soon take up the chief of staff role for the senator, indicating his departure from the NSC was imminent. Bennitt's departure has not been previously reported. While it was not clear what immediate impact the moves would have on national security policy, the departures follow multiple waves of firings that have at times dented morale and left the NSC a shell of its former self. Some sections of the NSC have been eliminated, while others - such as those overseeing the Middle East and Africa - have been combined, according to several people familiar with the moves. Very few senior officials at the NSC who were hired at the beginning of President Donald Trump's administration remain. McCormack and Bennitt were among the last holdouts. Bennitt's departure is particularly significant given the Trump administration's early focus on revitalizing the U.S. Navy and rebuilding the country's maritime capacity. Trump signed an executive order to bipartisan applause in April aimed at reviving domestic shipbuilding and reducing China's grip on the global shipping industry. The White House had pointed to the establishment of a maritime office at the NSC as a sign of its commitment to the industry. But by early July, five of that office's seven workers had departed, the Wall Street Journal reported. A White House official told Reuters there was now a greater emphasis on maritime affairs at the State Department and at the Office of Management and Budget, a separate White House agency that helps decide the president's policy priorities and how to pay for them. Anna Kelly, a White House spokesperson, did not directly comment on the departures, but indicated the administration is still focused on shipbuilding. "American shipbuilding was neglected for decades under failed presidents like Joe Biden, but President Trump is prioritizing this vital industry to strengthen our country's economic and national security," she said in a statement. The tumult at the NSC began in late March and early April, when several staffers were let go after right-wing influencer Laura Loomer presented Trump with a list of national security officials she perceived to be disloyal. Trump's first national security adviser, Mike Waltz, was ousted in May. His standing was diminished after he accidentally added a journalist to a group chat about an imminent bombing campaign in Yemen. After a slow bleed of firings throughout the spring, the NSC was decimated by a mass purge of employees of various ranks in late May. Upon taking office in January, the Trump administration dismissed almost all NSC holdovers from the administration of former President Joe Biden, meaning the subsequent purges targeted people the White House itself hired. The NSC, which plays a central role in formulating and coordinating national security policy in some administrations, has now taken a back seat to the Pentagon, the State Department and the intelligence community, according to several U.S. officials. In recent weeks, the NSC has begun to make some hires in an attempt to rebuild, according to the sources. But senior departures could complicate the administration's ability to refill ranks promptly. The voluntary departure of some additional NSC staffers is expected in the coming days and weeks, the two sources said.
Wall Street Journal
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Wall Street Journal
Senate Democrats Grill Mike Waltz Over Signal Leak
Former National Security Adviser Mike Waltz testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for the first time since he was ousted from his role and nominated as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Photo: Ken Cedeno/Reuters
Telegraph
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
No 10 has ‘full confidence' in Navy chief despite Afghan leak
Sir Keir Starmer's spokesman has insisted he has full confidence in the head of the Royal Navy after he was implicated in the Afghan data leak. A Downing Street spokesman said that Gen Sir Gwyn Jenkins was not responsible for the leak, nor involved in sending the spreadsheet – which resulted in many of the names being posted on the internet. The document was sent by a Royal Marine, who was in charge of vetting asylum seekers, to a group of trusted Afghan contacts in the UK. The soldier worked out of the Regent's Park Barracks in central London under the command of Gen Sir Gwyn. They emailed the list twice before the mistake was discovered, and it is unknown whether they remain in post. The incident has poured fresh scrutiny on Gen Sir Gwyn, who was in line to serve as the UK's next national security adviser before the 2024 election was called. The senior officer has attracted some controversy in recent years, including over the accusation that he covered up alleged extrajudicial killings by serving members of the SAS in 2011. It has been reported that after the Government discovered in August 2023 that the Afghan leak had taken place, ministers convened a Cobra meeting in Whitehall and invited Gen Sir Gwyn. It was reported that one minister asked him if either he or Adml Sir Tony Radakin, the Chief of the Defence Staff, should resign. According to reports, he responded: 'Certainly not.' On Tuesday, Sir Keir's spokesman was asked whether the Prime Minister retains full confidence in his naval chief. The spokesman replied: 'He does.' Downing Street added that Gen Sir Gywn had 'no role in any aspect of [Afghan resettlement schemes], including decision-making.' Gen Sir Gwyn, a former commander of the Special Boat Service, was placed in charge of all special forces working in Afghanistan in October 2011 and served in the country for five months, before returning to London to work in Downing Street for Lord Cameron, then prime minister. While working in Afghanistan, he received a report that members of the SAS had carried out extrajudicial killings in the country, in violation of international law. Gen Sir Gwyn referred the matter to his senior officer, but it has since been claimed the matter should have been reported to the Royal Military Police (RMP). In October 2023, Lord Hermer, now the Attorney General, claimed Gen Sir Gwyn had failed to alert the RMP to potential war crimes when he was a commanding officer of the Special Boat Service. The episode was uncovered by an inquiry into alleged murder by SAS officers in Afghanistan, which is ongoing. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said at the time that it was 'not appropriate ... to comment on allegations which may be within the scope of the statutory inquiry'. After leaving Afghanistan, Gen Sir Gwyn served as the No 10 deputy national security adviser, commander of 3 Commando Brigade and Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff – a military desk job in the UK. Between 2021 and 2022, the time of the leak, he was serving as Director Special Forces, the officer with overall command of UK special forces operations. He was accused by a BBC Panorama programme in May of, in that role, personally overseeing the rejection of some 1,585 Afghans who served with the SAS before the UK's withdrawal from the country in 2021. It was claimed that he might have allegedly blocked the applications to avoid witnesses travelling to the UK and appearing before the statutory inquiry, but the MoD said there was 'no evidence' that was the case. Prior to the 2024 election, Rishi Sunak announced that Gen Sir Gwyn would replace Sir Tim Barrow as the UK's national security adviser. However, the appointment was cancelled by Sir Keir when Labour won the election, and Jonathan Powell was announced for the role. In May, Gen Sir Gwyn was named as the Royal Navy's First Sea Lord, replacing Sir Ben Key, who was sacked for having a relationship with a more junior officer.
Zawya
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Zawya
South Africa: International Relations (IR) Committee Chairperson Is Unavailable for Media Interviews on National Security Allegations
The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Supra Mahumapelo, has since the media briefing given by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, received requests from the media to comment on his removal from the position of Premier of the North West Province. Mr Mahumapelo is unavailable for media interviews and for comment on the grounds that, among other things, he is a Member of Parliament. Parliament has established processes and procedures for the Portfolio Committee on Police, the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development, and the Standing Committee on Intelligence relating to the national security allegations. Furthermore, Mr Mahumapelo has a case in the North West High Court in Mafikeng and is suing for defamation against the Revolutionary Council and three others. Mr Mahumapelo received threats that if he did not get out of the position he would be killed. Threats on his life are due to political interference and evidence will be presented before the constituted committees as and when required. As a member of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the African National Congress, the NEC will first look into the matter and decide on its approach as a collective of the ANC. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
United News of India
2 days ago
- Business
- United News of India
EAM Jaishankar in Singapore, calls on President Shanmugaratnam, holds talks with DPM and FM
Singapore/New Delhi, July 13 (UNI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who was on a day-long visit to Singapore, today called on President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and held meetings with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade & Industry Gan Kim Yong and Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan. They reviewed progress of the outcomes of the Prime Minister's visit and the Second round of India Singapore Ministerial Roundtable (ISMR), which included areas of investments, industrial parks, semiconductors, infrastructure, skill development and connectivity. They also exchanged views on ASEAN, Indo-Pacific and global developments. EAM also met Teo Chee Hean, former Senior Minister & Coordinating Minister for National Security and Chairman-designate of Temasek Holdings. Their discussion focused on transformation underway in India and opportunities for Temasek to expand its investments in India, a statement said. The visit is part of continued high-level exchanges between two countries and reflects the importance India attaches to its relations with Singapore. EAM Jaishankar said in posts on X: 'Singapore is at the heart of our Act East Policy. Always insightful to exchange views there. 'Great to meet FM @VivianBala this morning in Singapore.' The Singaporean FM said in a post on X: 'As the world inexorably transitions into multipolarity, India will play an increasingly important role as one of these major poles of opportunity. 'Looking forward to seeing @DrSJaishankar in New Delhi for the 3rd India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable.' On his meeting with the Deputy PM, EAM posted: 'Good to catch-up with DPM @GANKIMYONG this evening in Singapore. 'Glad to note the steady progress in various bilateral initiatives. Looking forward to the 3rd India Singapore Ministerial Roundtable.' UNI RN
