White House National Security Council hit by more departures, sources say

Source: Reuters

July 15, 2025 5:24 PM EDT Updated 11 hours ago


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.

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/white-house-national-security-council-hit-by-more-departures-sources-say-2025-07-15/