Rick Waddell, a senior member of President Trump’s National Security Council, plans to resign from his position, the White House announced Thursday, making him the fourth national security official to leave his post this week.
“Dr. Rick Waddell plans to step down from his position at the White House. He will stay on board for the immediate future to help ensure a smooth and orderly transition,” White House spokeswoman Lindsay Walters said in a statement.
Waddell’s departure comes as newly-appointed national security adviser John Bolton seeks to overhaul the NSC, which has repeatedly been accused of leaking damaging and sensitive information about Trump’s national security strategy and conversations with foreign leaders.
Bolton, who replaced ousted national security adviser H.R. McMaster, stepped into his new role on Monday.
Like Nadia Schadlow, an NSC colleague whose resignation was announced on Wednesday, Waddell plans to remain on the council for the next few weeks “to help ensure a smooth and orderly transition,” according to the White House.
In addition to Waddell and Schadlow, NSC spokesman Michael Anton and Homeland Security adviser Tom Bossert also resigned from the White House this week.
