NSC Transitions: Risky Times for New Administrations

http://www.the-american-interest.com/2016/12/13/nsc-transitions-risky-times-for-new-administrations/

December 13, 2016

NSC Transitions: Risky Times for New Administrations 

Timothy E. Deal

Some thoughts on streamlining the transition process for future NSC staff.

Presidential transitions are almost always messy, frequently contentious, and possibly risky for the nation at large. While this problem applies to some degree in all cabinet-level departments and agencies, the problem is particularly acute within the White House, especially in the area of national security. The National Security Council (NSC) staff serves at the pleasure of the President, and there is usually a complete turnover in personnel between Democratic and Republican Administrations and (vice versa). “Hostile takeovers” often occur, too, when the incoming President is of the same party as the outgoing one. http://www.the-american-interest.com/2016/12/13/nsc-transitions-risky-times-for-new-administrations/