Former National Security Council (NSC) official Joshua Steinman has issued a stark warning to the incoming Trump administration, urging them to prioritize loyal and capable staffing within the NSC to ensure effective governance during Trump’s second term. Steinman, who served as Deputy Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Cyber from 2017 to 2021, took to social media to express his concerns about potential staffing decisions that he believes could undermine President Trump’s agenda.
In a detailed thread, Steinman outlined the critical role of the NSC, describing it as the “quarterback” of the White House, tasked with ensuring that government agencies implement the president’s directives. Steinman emphasized that “personnel is policy,” warning that retaining holdovers from the Biden administration, or hiring individuals with histories of opposing Trump, would lead to ineffective governance at best and outright sabotage at worst.
Steinman cited the example of Eric Ciaramella, an Obama-era NSC staffer whose whistleblower complaint sparked Trump’s first impeachment. He argued that failing to conduct a rapid staff turnover at the start of Trump’s first term allowed such individuals to remain in positions where they could undermine the administration’s goals. Steinman noted that the Biden administration took a different approach, swiftly replacing NSC staff to align with its agenda—a model he believes Trump should replicate.
One of Steinman’s specific concerns is the potential retention of Anne Neuberger, who oversaw key policy areas in the Biden administration, including AI, cryptocurrency, and cybersecurity. He also raised red flags about unannounced hires, including individuals with ties to the “Never Trump” movement or insufficient expertise for the critical roles they are being considered for.
Steinman’s message is clear: loyalty and subject matter expertise are non-negotiable for NSC positions. He warned that without staff fully aligned with Trump’s agenda, the administration risks facing “business as usual” within the federal bureaucracy, slowing or derailing the president’s plans.
Steinman’s public plea underscores the high stakes for Trump’s second term. With foreign policy, intelligence, and national security decisions often hinging on hundreds of small, daily decisions made by NSC staff, ensuring alignment with the president’s vision is paramount.
As the Trump team prepares to take office, Steinman’s message is both a cautionary tale and a roadmap: personnel choices will determine the administration’s ability to execute its agenda and fulfill its promises to the American people.