A Historical Moment Under The Trump Administration

For the first time in history, half of the senior leaders of the National Security Council are women. Twelve of the 24 directorates are led by women now, including three of the six regional directorates that cover the world. 

Even though the White House press corps haven’t noticed this historic moment, the women in the White House have. 

“President Trump has demonstrated his commitment to empowering women in the U.S and across the world, implementing a pro-growth, pro-family agenda that lifts up women of all backgrounds. It’s no surprise that women are leading the way across the Trump Administration, including more women leaders at the National Security Council than at any other time in history.” Ivanka Trump said. 

The functional and regional directorates of the National Security Council tackles issues such as international organizations, border security, and COVID response, all three of which women now lead. Three of the six regional directorates covering the globe – Africa, Asia, and South Asia – are now led by women. 

Last year, national security adviser Robert O’Brien announced his plan to restructure and decrease the council size. The policy staff of the council swelled from a dozen to well over 200 during the Cuban missile crisis under the Obama Administration. 

Condoleezza Rice, who worked with Brent Scowcroft during the Bush Administration, was the first female to serve as national security adviser when appointed in 2001. She later became the first African American female to serve as secretary of state. Rice and Scowcroft had worked towards the “right size” of the council at the time, and now under President Trump’s leadership the NSC is back to its proper size and role as a lean and efficient advisory body. 

“We have some of the strongest leaders in history of the NSC, half of whom are women for the first time ever.” O’Brien said 

Trump has long relied on the leadership and counsel of women. Three of his top advisers and communications directors are women, and the only three mothers ever to be named press secretaries were all installed by Trump. 

There is Deborah Birx, physician and diplomat serving as head of the coronavirus response. Allison Hooker, senior director in charge of Asia and involved in all negotiations with North Korea. Elizabeth Erin Walsh, NSC’s senior director for African affairs and assistant secretary of commerce for global markets. Sue J. Bai, deputy assistant to the president, principal deputy legal adviser to the NSC, and associate counsel to the president in the White House Counsel’s office. Julia Nesheiwat, senior director for homeland security affairs and one of the women most recently named to a senior leadership role on the NSC. 

The list goes on…This cites to President Trump that he is willing to reconsider approaches to persistent problems and have the guts to do some things that are long overdue. You go Trump!