According to today’s Federal Register’s Presidential Memorandum, President Trump has confirmed that Rick Perry, currently Secretary of the Department of Energy will be replacing Steve Bannon, the White House Chief Strategist, on the National Security Council. He will be one of the several appointed officials returning to the principal committee.
During the Obama administration, the Secretary of the Department of Energy was included on the principal committee, but that changed when Trump took office. He removed the director of the national intelligence, Secretary of the Department of Energy and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from the committee, but his memorandum has restored the three to the committee.
The National Security Council’s purpose is to be used as a forum by the President for consideration of national security and foreign policy matters with input from senior national security advisors, cabinet officials and members of the Executive branch. For example, he may present a policy idea and the advisors will be able to provide him with feedback on what effects that policy may have on their departments and on national security.
It is unknown on how his new imposed duties will interfere with his responsibilities as the Secretary of the Department of Energy. He has some big shoes to fill as his predecessors are a Nobel prize-winning physicist and a nuclear physicist. Due to his inexperience, Perry may find it difficult to provide knowledge on the spot and thus, will hinder the effectiveness of the council.
In the memo, President Trump thumps his chest while informing us that “As President, my highest priority is to ensure the safety and security of the American people.” but he picked the village idiot from Texas.
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