White House Deputy National Security Adviser Andy Baker is departing in the coming weeks.
Mr. Baker, Vice President J.D. Vance’s former national security adviser, played an integral role in the administration’s foreign policy and national security decision-making.
He was part of the U.S. delegation that conducted the first face-to-face talks with Iran in Pakistan. He also reportedly advocated for a more restrained American foreign policy.
Mr. Baker described his time in the Trump administration as an “amazing journey.”
“I’m proud of everything we’ve achieved and, of course, am incredibly grateful to the President, Vice President, and Secretary Rubio,” Mr. Baker, 46, said in a statement. “I’ll never be far away.”
Mr. Vance hailed the former State Department official, telling Axios, which first reported his departure, that Mr. Baker is an “exceptionally gifted, deeply thoughtful” adviser.
“He has been an indispensable member of our administration’s national security team,” the vice president said of Mr. Baker, who also aided Mr. Vance in the Senate. “For the over three years that Andy has been by my side, I’ve always valued his counsel and have been grateful for the difficult work he’s done.”
Mr. Baker will move to the private sector and work with consulting firm America Global Strategies, co-founded by Robert O’Brien, who served as Trump’s national security adviser during his first term, according to multiple reports.
Mr. Baker’s exit marks the latest shake-up in the White House’s national security operation. Cliff Sims, a former senior White House and U.S. Intelligence Community official, replaced Mr. Baker as the vice president’s national security adviser this summer and will remain in that role.
Mike Needham, a high-ranking State Department official, joined the White House in May as a deputy national security adviser, and Mr. Baker reportedly stayed on months longer than planned to ensure a smooth transition to the administration’s two newest recruits.
Mr. Baker reportedly wants to spend more time with family, prompting his departure.
This follows White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt’s resignation days earlier to be with her young family.
Contact the author
Please read our comment policy before commenting.