washington u.s. president donald trump remove chief strategist steve bannon national security council wednesday reverse controversial decision early year give political adviser unprecedented role security discussions trump overhaul nsc confirm white house official also elevate general joseph dunford chairman joint chiefs staff dan coat director national intelligence head 17 u.s. intelligence agencies official say change move nsc back core function suppose do also appear mark victory national security adviser h.r mcmaster tell national security experts felt battle death bannon others white house staff vice president mike pence say bannon would continue play important role policy play shake-up routine natural evolution ensure national security council organize way best serve president resolve make difficult decisions pence say fox news bannon say statement succeed return nsc back traditional role coordinate foreign policy rather run cite president barack obama national security adviser susan rice advocate change susan rice operationalized nsc last administration put nsc ensure de-operationalized general mcmaster nsc back proper function say trump white house team grapple infighting intrigue hobble young presidency recent days several senior u.s. foreign policy national security officials say mechanisms shape trump administration response press challenge syria north korea iran still place critics bannon role nsc say give much weight decision-making someone lack foreign policy expertise bannon chief executive trump presidential campaign months lead election november respect represent trump america first nationalistic voice help fuel anti-washington fervor push president part ways time mainstream republicans join trump administration bannon head breitbart news right-wing website u.s. representative adam schiff rank democrat house representatives intelligence committee call shift nsc positive step help mcmaster gain control body politicize bannon involvement administration policy north korea china russia syria continue drift hope shake-up bring level strategic vision body say bannon removal nsc potential setback sphere influence trump white house voice major decisions trump confidant say bannon remain influential ever still involve everything still full confidence president fair much stuff confidant say speak condition anonymity white house official say bannon long need nsc departure trump first national security adviser michael flynn flynn force resign feb. 13 contact russia ambassador unite state sergei kislyak prior trump take office jan. 20. official say bannon place nsc originally check flynn attend one nsc regular meet official dismiss question power struggle bannon mcmaster say share world view however two current national security officials reject white house explanation note two months pass since flynn departure mcmaster say speak condition anonymity also duel bannon others direct access trump future deputy national security adviser k.t mcfarland former fox news commentator intelligence director ezra cohen-watnick flynn appointee staff decisions trump prepare first face-to-face meet thursday friday chinese president xi jinping threat north korea nuclear missile program key component talk bannon seat nsc principals committee group include secretaries state defense rank aid take rick perry energy secretary charge oversee u.s. nuclear weapons arsenal trump drop steve bannon national security council