Joshua Steinman, the former senior director for cyber on President Trump’s National Security Council (NSC), has issued a stark warning to the incoming president that demands immediate attention. Steinman, who loyally served from Trump’s first day in office to his last, cautions that mistakes in NSC staffing could spell disaster for the administration’s second term, leading to either ineffectiveness or outright betrayal. His insights form a compelling argument for a complete overhaul of the NSC as the cornerstone of Trump’s efforts to govern effectively.
The NSC, as Steinman explains, is not merely a bureaucratic appendage. It is the quarterback of the White House—the entity tasked with ensuring that the president’s directives are executed seamlessly across the vast machinery of the federal government. “If the president is the owner of the football team, the NSC is the quarterback,” he asserts, underscoring the centrality of this institution in driving the administration’s policy agenda. And yet, Steinman’s concerns suggest that the team surrounding this quarterback may not be up to the task.
Reflecting on Trump’s first term, Steinman identifies a critical error: the decision to retain approximately 50% of the NSC staff from the Obama administration. This hesitation to implement a sweeping purge, according to Steinman, allowed disloyal actors to undermine Trump’s policies. Some of these holdovers allegedly continued to operate under Obama-era guidance until explicitly instructed otherwise. Steinman’s message is clear: “Removing people like this isn’t personal; it’s just prudent.”
The stakes are high. Steinman contrasts Trump’s initial approach with the swift and decisive action taken by President Biden, who executed a comprehensive purge of Trump-aligned NSC staff upon taking office. This move ensured that Biden’s team could implement his agenda without interference from ideological adversaries. Critics labeled Biden’s actions a “purge” and raised concerns about the politicization of traditionally non-partisan roles, but his administration’s determination to align its personnel with its policies proved effective in consolidating its power.
Steinman’s critique does not stop at holdovers. He raises alarms about new hires, questioning their loyalty and expertise. Among those rumored to join Trump’s team is Adam Howard, GOP Staff Director for the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI), who is set to take the critical role of senior director for intelligence programs. Steinman questions whether Howard’s background equips him to confront potential interference from the intelligence community—a task vital to ensuring Trump’s agenda is not derailed.
The urgency of Steinman’s warning lies in the fundamental truth that personnel is policy. For Trump’s administration to succeed, the NSC must be staffed with individuals who are not only loyal to his vision but also possess the subject-matter expertise to navigate the complexities of their roles. Steinman’s concerns about Anne Neuberger, the Biden-appointed NSC cybersecurity director, exemplify this need. Her alignment with policies on artificial intelligence and tech censorship could undermine Trump’s objectives, should she remain in place.
Trump’s response to these challenges is beginning to take shape. Key appointments to his NSC include:
Michael Waltz, National Security Advisor: A Republican Congressman and retired Army Green Beret with a hardline stance on China.
Alex Wong, Deputy National Security Advisor: A seasoned diplomat who oversaw North Korea policy during Trump’s first term.
Sebastian Gorka, Senior Director for Counterterrorism: A known advocate for robust counterterrorism strategies.
Brian McCormack, Senior Advisor: An energy consultant focusing on energy security.
Andrew Peek, Middle East Policy Adviser: A seasoned expert on the region’s complexities.
While these appointments reflect a renewed emphasis on loyalty and alignment, Steinman’s cautionary tale lingers. The success of Trump’s second term hinges on avoiding the missteps of the first. The NSC’s ability to serve as an effective quarterback depends entirely on the quality of its staff. As Steinman aptly puts it, “The Intel Senior Director position is one of the most CRITICAL posts in U.S. Government.”
The broader implications of Steinman’s warning extend beyond Trump’s presidency. The debate over Biden’s NSC purge highlighted the tension between ensuring policy alignment and maintaining non-partisan governance. Critics, including the Heritage Foundation, argued that Biden’s actions undermined the apolitical nature of advisory roles, while supporters contended that loyalty is essential for effective governance. Trump’s administration must navigate this delicate balance, prioritizing mission alignment without descending into the partisanship that critics decry.
As Trump prepares to assume office once more, the lessons of his first term and Biden’s purge are clear: the NSC must be reimagined, restructured, and resolutely loyal to the President’s agenda. Failure to act decisively could jeopardize the very goals Trump has championed—from ending unnecessary conflicts to revitalizing the economy. Steinman’s call to action is both a warning and a roadmap: “Fix the NSC, fix the presidency.”
Sponsored by the John Milton Freedom Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to helping independent journalists overcome formidable challenges in today’s media landscape and bring crucial stories to you.
Disgraced hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, now serving time at FCI Fort Dix, is reportedly bragging to fellow inmates that a presidential pardon from Donald Trump is on the horizon.
According to TMZ, Combs has been telling other convicts he expects to walk free early next year — and has even promised to “take care of them” once he’s back on the outside.
When asked earlier this year about the possibility of a pardon, President Trump told Fox News’ Peter Doocy he’d be open to reviewing the case.
“He used to really like me a lot, but I think when I ran for politics, that relationship busted up,” Trump said. “If I think somebody was mistreated, whether they like me or don’t like me, it wouldn’t have any impact on me.”
Combs’s troubles stem from a sensational trial last month that pulled back the curtain on his decadent and abusive lifestyle. Jurors heard shocking testimony about drug-fueled “freak-offs” — private sex parties where women were allegedly coerced and mistreated.
While Combs managed to avoid conviction on the more serious racketeering and sex-trafficking charges, he was found guilty of two counts of transporting women for prostitution under the federal Mann Act. The 55-year-old was sentenced to four years and two months in prison, fined $500,000, and ordered to complete five years of supervised release.
The embattled music mogul isn’t done facing justice yet. He’s still staring down multiple civil suits accusing him of rape, assault, and human trafficking, painting an even darker picture of an entertainment empire built on exploitation and excess.
While Democrats and their media allies once celebrated Combs as a cultural icon and political activist, his downfall now stands as a reminder that Hollywood and celebrity politics often mask deep corruption.
On Thursday, Florida District Court Judge Aileen Cannon rejected former President Donald Trump’s motion to dismiss charges of retaining classified documents.
This is only one of two motions from Trump’s legal team. The judge has not ruled on the other motion to dismiss based on the Presidential Records Act (PRA).
Trump’s attorney Todd Blanche initially asserted that the PRA gives the president the authority to retain documents he sees fit. However, later the judge one point remarked that the Trump defense team’s view of the Presidential Records Act would essentially “gut the PRA.”
“Presidents since George Washington have taken material out of the White House,” said Blanche, adding that the PRA was passed in the late ’70s and nothing in the statute says anything about documents with markings or anything that gives the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) the ability to challenge a president’s decision about which documents are personal versus presidential.
Trump’s attorney also pointed out often that the then-president caused these boxes to be moved while he was still president and that this is the first time NARA has challenged a decision made by a president about which documents are personal versus presidential. They claim NARA only took this action because the president in question was Donald Trump.
Blanche replied that it is up to Congress to change the law. “That’s what’s supposed to happen. DOJ can’t just decide… [what is personal versus presidential],” he said.
“We don’t have a lot of case law on this because this has never been done before,” added Blanche. “While he was the president he took records, like many presidents… For the first time ever, NARA took a different path and made a criminal referral,” instead of negotiating with the president as had been done in the past.
Cannon at one point said, “Correct… the seizure of a president’s records was seen to be an extraordinary act.”
Duncan Lock, Dflock, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Former White House lawyer Ty Cobb predicted the U.S. Supreme Court will rule “9-0” in favor of former President Trump in a potential appeal of the Colorado Supreme Court’s ruling.
Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for Trump’s campaign, has already vowed the Trump campaign will appeal the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court, which has a 6-3 conservative majority and includes three justices nominated by the former President.
“The Supreme Court though will not hesitate to move quickly on this; they know what the stakes are. They know what their responsibility is,” Cobb continued. “And they can delay some of these Colorado dates to the extent that they feel they’re obligated to or have to.”
“I think this case will be handled quickly. I think it could be 9-0 in the Supreme Court for Trump,” Cobb said in an interview on CNN, adding later, “I do believe it could be 9-0, because I think the law is clear.”
“The real key issue in this case is — is Trump an officer in the United States in the context in which that term is used in the Article 3 of the 14th Amendment,” Cobb said. “And in 2010, Chief Justice [John] Roberts explained in free enterprise that people don’t vote for officers of the United States.”
Cobb further argued the ruling “vindicates” Trump’s “insistence that this is a political conspiracy to interfere with the election and that … he’s the target and people shouldn’t tolerate that in America.”
Colorado’s Supreme Court put its ruling on hold until Jan. 4 to allow Trump to first seek review from the U.S. Supreme Court.
An adviser to President-elect Trump’s campaign, Alex Bruesewitz, passed out and collapsed as he was speaking onstage during a New York Young Republican Club gala Sunday night.
Alex Bruesewitz, 27, was introducing incoming White House senior aide Dan Scavino inside a venue in Manhattan when he began stumbling over his words and fainted, video on social media shows.
Several people quickly rushed to help after his collapse. It was not immediately clear what caused him to faint.
“I talked to our friend Alex Bruesewitz and you know what he said to me? He goes ‘Did I at least look cool?’ I said Alex, you used gravity like I’ve seen nobody use gravity before in their lives,” Kassam said. “But he’s recuperating back there, so give him a big cheer so he’ll hear you.”
Trump also said following the collapse that he believes Bruesewitz will be fine, according to the New York Post.
“I know that Alex is going to be fine because he’s a tough son of a gun,” Trump said. “There’s no doubt about that. So I want to say hello to Alex, because he’s a very special guy.”
Bruesewitz is the CEO of consultancy firm X Strategies LLC, which states its mission to help elect “America First” candidates. Its website says he is “a prominent political consultant and strategist known for his unwavering support of President Donald Trump and the America First agenda.”
Before his collapse, Bruesewitz commended the New York Republican Club for backing Trump’s campaign. He also gave shout-outs to several supporters of the incoming president who were at the event, including former Florida congressman Matt Gaetz, who recently resigned from his U.S. House seat.
Daniel Ramirez from Honolulu, USA, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
With Thanksgiving less than one week away, some of America’s greatest patriots are still questioning whether they’ll be able to put food on the table for their families.
While President Joe Biden seems content ignoring America’s heroes the Coalition to Support America’s Heroes is stepping in to pick up the slack.
In 2004, the Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes was established to ensure that in return for the sacrifices they made for us during the war on terror, wounded veterans and their families would receive all the support needed to restore their hope and rebuild their lives. Now, the Coalition is working to make sure every veteran has a Thanksgiving feast of their own. However, as one of the sole nonprofits providing direct emergency relief funds for veterans, they work overtime with limited resources as the organization experiences a downturn in charitable giving.
Out of more than 40,000 veteran service organizations (VSO) the Coalition to Support Americas Heroes is the only nonprofit organization that provides direct emergency relief funds, veterans are often directed to the Coalition by VSOs, Veterans Affairs, or other non-profits like the Wounded Warrior Project.
This Thanksgiving is already facing roadblocks due to sky-high inflation but coupled with a record amount of requests for help from veterans means the Coalition is struggling to keep up with demand. Each year, the Coalition gives hundreds, or even thousands of veterans funds to help alleviate the financial pressure that inevitably comes around the holidays.
However, according to the American Farm Bureau Association, the costs for holiday staples such as turkey, sweet potatoes, and stuffing have surged since the same time last year.
The price of a 16-pound turkey has risen from $23.99 last year to $28.96, marking a 21% increase as an outbreak of the avian flu impacts poultry flocks across the country. The costs for cubed stuffing mix, one dozen dinner rolls, and a 30-ounce can of pumpkin pie mix have surged 69%, 22%, and 18%, respectively.
Coalition president and CEO David Walker says that the organization is now seeing an unprecedented need from struggling veterans as the country rebounds from a years-long COVID-19 pandemic which also exacerbated mental health issues and suicidal urges in veterans. With Thanksgiving around the corner, more than 240 calls have come into the Coalition in the past week, which is three times the number of calls from the first two weeks in October.
“The need that the Coalition provides is as essential now, if not more so than when we started because the battlefront has moved into the home,” Walker said. “Veterans call in using words like ‘evict’ or ‘repossess’ and the Coalition steps in to prevent them from using words like homelessness, divorce, or suicide.”
A Marine, identified as C.T. for privacy purposes, served in Iraq where he suffered a serious spinal injury during his tour. After C.T. returned home from his tour he found that Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) hindered his ability to find a reliable job and he found himself in debt and facing eviction. The Coalition to Support America’s Heroes immediately intervened and paid C.T.’s debt and is currently working to place him in a job where he feels at ease and where his PTSD won’t be a problem.
“This was one of the most amazing surprises, the dollar amount is awesome my kids and I would like to Thank you!! But the thought of you guys not leaving me and my dependents BEHIND means more than anything,” another veteran wrote to the Coalition.
“Every year is hard being away from my children, this act of kindness from your organization is more than thoughtful it’s priceless. Not just saying you care but showing it. My Goal is to help Veterans once I address some Mental and physical issues. This has relieved some pressure financially and giving some motivation. I SALUTE you guys!” J.D. continued.
A.K, another Coalition recipient, was awarded a purple heart after being struck by a mortar while serving in the Army in Iraq while her husband and child waited for her to return home. A.K. sustained severe injuries, a traumatic brain injury, and suffers from PTSD due to her brave service in Iraq. However, sky-high inflation coupled with unexpected home repairs caused A.K. to fall behind on mortgage payments, putting her family at risk of eviction. Thanks to the Coalition’s tremendous work A.K. and her family managed to catch up on their bills and will get to spend the holiday together giving thanks.
One veteran living in southern California expressed gratitude to the organization, “I just want you to know how happy this organization has made me; you have given me a sense of relief and joy during a very difficult year. I am so thankful for everything this organization has done for me and for all me fellow brothers and sisters in and out of uniform. Thank you for thinking of me when I didn’t think anyone was.”
With only days until Thanksgiving and Christmas on the horizon, America’s heroes deserve support and comfort, and now is the time to say “thank you” to those to have sacrificed so much.
Follow the link HERE to contribute and give a veteran a Thanksgiving meal!
ANALYSIS – The establishment media and liberal elites in the U.S.and Europe regularly condemn Hungarian president Victor Orban’s alleged ‘illiberalism,’ but U.S. conservatives see his domestic model, if not his foreign policy, as a welcome success story.
Most recently American conservatives flocked to Budapest for a Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in May.
Sadly, I was unable to attend but would have loved to have been there.
At the next CPAC in Dallas, Texas this August, Orban was given a standing ovation.
So, what is it about Orban that American conservatives like so much?
First, let me say there are things not to like about him and his government.
They have been somewhat authoritarian against the press and opposition parties. Though some would claim that this was a needed housecleaning of entrenched leftist interests.
My biggest complaint though is Orban’s and his Fidesz party’s soft approach toward Russia and Vladimir Putin (in great part due to Hungary’s energy dependence), and his relative lack of support for his invaded neighbor, Ukraine.
I’m also unhappy and extremely concerned by his close ties to Communist China.
Under Orban, Hungary was the first European country to join China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the country has been called Beijing’s closest European ally.
This makes a mockery of Orban’s original anti-communist ideals and gives Beijing a strategic foothold in the heart of Europe.
However, China’s growing influence in Hungary is increasingly unpopular and has created a growing backlash. It featured prominently in the opposition’s campaign against Orban in the recent elections (which Orban’s party won in a landslide).
I would like to see Orban and his party go back to their roots in opposing Communist China, and all similar regimes, including Putin’s Russia.
But most U.S. conservatives don’t look at Orban’s foreign policies. They are far more interested in his domestic policies. And they like what they see.
…American conservatives find Mr. Orban’s willingness to use the state to fight culture wars tremendously exciting.
He has made gay marriage constitutionally illegal (civil partnerships are allowed) and banned content “promoting” LGBT lifestyles from schools.
He has also banned same-sex adoptions and ended legal recognition for transgender people, making it impossible for them to legally change their sex.
Then in September, he introduced a law forcing women wanting an abortion to listen to the fetus’ heartbeat first.
And then there are his successful battles against immigration and adverse demography.
The Telegraph continues:
It is now illegal to claim asylum at the Hungarian border instead of at one of the country’s consulates, for example, and he has built not one but two controversial walls on the border with Serbia and Croatia.
He has also ushered in rules which mean families having three or more children are effectively exempt from tax in a bid to push up Hungary’s population.
Due to his policies, the fertility rate in Hungary has gone from 1.2 births per woman to 1.6, curbing the need for more immigrants.
I would support all these policies, in whole or in part, here in the U.S.
And compared to the militant secularism of the French right, American conservatives also find his party’s religiosity reassuring, and more aligned with traditional American Christian values.
Meanwhile, the conservative right is winning in other places, such as Italy, with the surprising victory of Georgia Meloni, and soon in the U.S. with Republicans retaking the House, and possibly the Senate too.
In France, in June, the conservative party of Marine Le Pen secured enough seats to form a parliamentary group, giving it more clout, for the first time in four decades.
And the right is about to return to Israel under Bibi Netanyahu.
The only big loss globally was in Brazil, where Jair Bolsonaro apparently just lost to Socialist Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. That loss is likely less due to ideology than personality, but it is a loss, nonetheless.
The takeaway from all this though is that until recently there hasn’t been a global conservative movement with similar ideas to counter the vast ‘Socialist International.’
But things are changing now. And Orban’s Hungary is at the center of it. Or maybe to the right of it.
Opinions expressed by contributors do not necessarily reflect the views of Great America News Desk.
Fox News White House Correspondent Peter Doocy and Fox Business reporter Hillary Vaughn announced their first child’s birth on Thursday.
Doocy and Vaughn, who have been married since 2021, confirmed to People magazine that their daughter, Bridget Blake Doocy, was born on Feb. 1.
Meet Bridget Blake Doocy! Asked @joebiden for tips about being a new dad, at the WH holiday reception. His advice: “hold her tight.” Will do! https://t.co/iXsCcMnbss
“I didn’t realize this until now, but I’ve been training for motherhood my entire career by trying to get lawmakers on Capitol Hill to respond to my questions. This job isn’t much different,” Vaughn told People magazine.
Vaughn said her water broke when she was on her way to work at Capitol Hill, which she was “prepared” for. She said she knew where to find senators who used to be doctors, and that Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), who was a doctor in Wyoming, told her to reach out if she needs anything.
Doocy said that White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre joked with him about what he should name his baby last month, joking that he could name her “Karine.”
“During a briefing last month, the press secretary gave me permission to name the baby Karine and I joked we were considering naming the baby after the president: ‘Joe-sephine.’ But we can report here for the first time her name is Bridget Blake Doocy,” he told People.
“Fox & Friends” host Steve Doocy also announce the arrival of his first granddaughter on Thursday’s show, saying that he is “so proud.”
“I’ve got an announcement: I am now a grandfather,” he said on Thursday’s “Fox & Friends” show.
Last year, President Biden was caught calling the White House correspondent a “stupid son of a bitch” after Doocy asked Biden whether inflation was a political liability for him.
The verbal slip took place during a White House event on Biden administration efforts to combat inflation. After the president complained that all the press questions were about the military buildup around Ukraine, Doocy shouted: “Will you take questions about inflation? Do you think inflation is a political liability ahead of the midterms?”
Thinking his microphone was turned off, Biden responded sarcastically: “No, that’s a great asset. More inflation.”
He added, “What a stupid son of a bitch.”
Later, Bret Baier asked Doocy about the “colorful exchange” with the president, Doocy replied: “He didn’t want to take any questions off-topic. He was at an event about inflation. I asked about inflation. Now wait to see if the White House has to bleep that on the transcript.”
Baier then asked: “What did the other reporters say about that? Did you talk with them?” Doocy replied: “They actually had to tell me he had said it, because I couldn’t hear anything over the shouting of the wranglers. So now the clip will live on.”
Ultimately, President Biden apologized to Doocy for the remark.
A federal judge on Thursday denied a legal challenge to President Donald Trump’s proposed White House ballroom project, clearing the way for construction to move forward on the estimated $400 million expansion.
U.S. District Judge Richard Leon rejected an injunction sought by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which had asked the court to halt demolition work tied to the project. The organization sued the Trump administration in December, arguing that officials failed to complete required federal reviews and did not obtain congressional approval before proceeding with plans that include demolishing portions of the East Wing.
In his ruling, Leon said the preservation group was unlikely to succeed on the merits of its claims. He wrote that the plaintiffs relied on a “ragtag group of theories” under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) and the Constitution.
Leon determined that the challenge fell short in part because “the White House office in question is not an agency” under the APA, limiting the court’s ability to review the actions at issue. He also wrote that the plaintiffs did not present sufficient legal grounds to challenge the president’s statutory authority to complete the project using private funds without explicit congressional approval.
The decision marks a significant legal victory for the administration and allows work on the 90,000-square-foot ballroom to continue. According to Trump, the facility is intended to host large-scale events such as state dinners, official receptions, and potentially inauguration-related gatherings — functions that often require temporary structures on the White House grounds due to space limitations.
Trump celebrated the ruling on Truth Social, emphasizing that the project would not rely on taxpayer funding.
“Great news for America, and our wonderful White House! The Judge on the case of what will be the most beautiful Ballroom anywhere in the World, has just thrown out, and completely erased, the effort to stop its construction,” Trump wrote. “As everyone knows, not one dollar of Taxpayer money is being spent, but rather, all money necessary to build this magnificent building is being put up by Patriot Donors and Contributors.”
He added that construction is “ahead of schedule and under budget.”
The administration has said the ballroom will be funded entirely through private donations, a structure supporters argue avoids additional strain on federal budgets. Critics, however, have raised concerns about precedent, transparency, and the potential long-term impact on the historic White House complex.
The White House has undergone numerous expansions and renovations throughout its history. The West Wing was added in 1902 under President Theodore Roosevelt, and the East Wing was constructed in stages beginning during World War II. Major structural renovations were also undertaken during the Truman administration after engineers determined the building was at risk of collapse.
Legal disputes over executive authority and historic preservation are not uncommon when changes to federally owned landmarks are proposed. The National Trust argued that federal preservation laws and administrative procedures required more extensive review before demolition could proceed. The court’s ruling suggests that, at least at this preliminary stage, those arguments did not meet the threshold necessary to stop the project.
Further legal action remains possible, though the denial of the injunction allows construction to continue while the case proceeds.
If completed as planned, the ballroom would represent one of the most significant additions to the White House complex in decades, reshaping how large official events are hosted at the executive residence.
By The White House - https://www.flickr.com/photos/202101414@N05/54581054338/, Public Domain,
President Trump signaled Friday that a final decision on a potential agreement with Iran could be just hours away, announcing he was heading to the White House Situation Room to make what he called a “final determination” on a proposed deal that would dramatically reshape U.S.-Iran relations.
“I will be meeting now, in the Situation Room, to make a final determination,” Trump wrote in a lengthy Truth Social post outlining the terms he says Iran must accept before any agreement moves forward.
The president’s announcement immediately fueled speculation that a major breakthrough could be nearing after months of negotiations following the U.S.-Israel military campaign against Iran earlier this year.
Among Trump’s non-negotiable demands: Iran must permanently abandon any pursuit of nuclear weapons.
“Iran must agree that they will never have a Nuclear Weapon or Bomb,” Trump declared.
Trump also outlined provisions that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz to unrestricted international shipping, eliminate any remaining naval mines in the waterway, and potentially end the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports.
“Ships caught in the Strait due to our amazing and unprecedented Naval Blockade, which will now be lifted, may start the process of ‘heading home!’” Trump wrote. “Say HELLO to your wives, husbands, parents, and families from me, your favorite President!”
Perhaps the most striking element of Trump’s proposal involves Iran’s remaining stockpile of enriched uranium.
According to the president, the United States would work alongside Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency to excavate and destroy what he described as enriched nuclear material buried beneath mountains damaged during U.S. B-2 bomber strikes nearly a year ago.
“The enriched material, sometimes referred to as ‘Nuclear Dust,’ … will be unearthed by the United States … and DESTROYED,” Trump wrote, adding that only the U.S. and China possess the capability to carry out such an operation.
As Fox News reported, it remains unclear whether the removal and destruction of Iran’s enriched uranium is formally included in the draft agreement currently under discussion. The White House confirmed Thursday that negotiations are ongoing, but details of the final arrangement remain unresolved.
Iranian officials have responded cautiously. The semi-official Fars News Agency characterized Trump’s statements as a “mixture of truth and falsehood” intended to portray a “fabricated victory.”
Meanwhile, Iranian parliamentary speaker and senior negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf emphasized Friday that Tehran remains skeptical of American assurances.
“We do not trust guarantees and words, only actions are the criterion,” Qalibaf wrote on X.
According to reporting from Fox News, the proposed framework would extend the current cease-fire for 60 days while allowing both sides to negotiate remaining disputes surrounding Iran’s nuclear program, sanctions relief, and regional security concerns.
Iran has long maintained that its nuclear activities are intended solely for peaceful purposes. Trump, however, has repeatedly argued that any deal must go beyond previous agreements — including President Barack Obama’s 2015 nuclear accord — by permanently eliminating Iran’s ability to enrich uranium and preventing any future path to a nuclear weapon.
The president also hinted that economic concessions could be addressed in later negotiations.
“No money will be exchanged, until further notice,” Trump wrote.
Trump’s decision to convene in the Situation Room — traditionally reserved for the nation’s most consequential military and national security deliberations — suggests the administration believes a pivotal moment in the negotiations has arrived.
Whether the talks ultimately produce a historic diplomatic breakthrough or collapse at the finish line may soon be decided behind the secure doors of the White House’s most closely watched room.
Fix The NSC: A Warning & Roadmap For Trump’s Second Term
A Call to Action: Reforming the National Security Council
Joshua Steinman, the former senior director for cyber on President Trump’s National Security Council (NSC), has issued a stark warning to the incoming president that demands immediate attention. Steinman, who loyally served from Trump’s first day in office to his last, cautions that mistakes in NSC staffing could spell disaster for the administration’s second term, leading to either ineffectiveness or outright betrayal. His insights form a compelling argument for a complete overhaul of the NSC as the cornerstone of Trump’s efforts to govern effectively.
The NSC, as Steinman explains, is not merely a bureaucratic appendage. It is the quarterback of the White House—the entity tasked with ensuring that the president’s directives are executed seamlessly across the vast machinery of the federal government. “If the president is the owner of the football team, the NSC is the quarterback,” he asserts, underscoring the centrality of this institution in driving the administration’s policy agenda. And yet, Steinman’s concerns suggest that the team surrounding this quarterback may not be up to the task.
Reflecting on Trump’s first term, Steinman identifies a critical error: the decision to retain approximately 50% of the NSC staff from the Obama administration. This hesitation to implement a sweeping purge, according to Steinman, allowed disloyal actors to undermine Trump’s policies. Some of these holdovers allegedly continued to operate under Obama-era guidance until explicitly instructed otherwise. Steinman’s message is clear: “Removing people like this isn’t personal; it’s just prudent.”
The stakes are high. Steinman contrasts Trump’s initial approach with the swift and decisive action taken by President Biden, who executed a comprehensive purge of Trump-aligned NSC staff upon taking office. This move ensured that Biden’s team could implement his agenda without interference from ideological adversaries. Critics labeled Biden’s actions a “purge” and raised concerns about the politicization of traditionally non-partisan roles, but his administration’s determination to align its personnel with its policies proved effective in consolidating its power.
Steinman’s critique does not stop at holdovers. He raises alarms about new hires, questioning their loyalty and expertise. Among those rumored to join Trump’s team is Adam Howard, GOP Staff Director for the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI), who is set to take the critical role of senior director for intelligence programs. Steinman questions whether Howard’s background equips him to confront potential interference from the intelligence community—a task vital to ensuring Trump’s agenda is not derailed.
The urgency of Steinman’s warning lies in the fundamental truth that personnel is policy. For Trump’s administration to succeed, the NSC must be staffed with individuals who are not only loyal to his vision but also possess the subject-matter expertise to navigate the complexities of their roles. Steinman’s concerns about Anne Neuberger, the Biden-appointed NSC cybersecurity director, exemplify this need. Her alignment with policies on artificial intelligence and tech censorship could undermine Trump’s objectives, should she remain in place.
Trump’s response to these challenges is beginning to take shape. Key appointments to his NSC include:
While these appointments reflect a renewed emphasis on loyalty and alignment, Steinman’s cautionary tale lingers. The success of Trump’s second term hinges on avoiding the missteps of the first. The NSC’s ability to serve as an effective quarterback depends entirely on the quality of its staff. As Steinman aptly puts it, “The Intel Senior Director position is one of the most CRITICAL posts in U.S. Government.”
The broader implications of Steinman’s warning extend beyond Trump’s presidency. The debate over Biden’s NSC purge highlighted the tension between ensuring policy alignment and maintaining non-partisan governance. Critics, including the Heritage Foundation, argued that Biden’s actions undermined the apolitical nature of advisory roles, while supporters contended that loyalty is essential for effective governance. Trump’s administration must navigate this delicate balance, prioritizing mission alignment without descending into the partisanship that critics decry.
As Trump prepares to assume office once more, the lessons of his first term and Biden’s purge are clear: the NSC must be reimagined, restructured, and resolutely loyal to the President’s agenda. Failure to act decisively could jeopardize the very goals Trump has championed—from ending unnecessary conflicts to revitalizing the economy. Steinman’s call to action is both a warning and a roadmap: “Fix the NSC, fix the presidency.”
Sponsored by the John Milton Freedom Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to helping independent journalists overcome formidable challenges in today’s media landscape and bring crucial stories to you.