Trump puts Bannon on security council, dropping joint chiefs

Commentators say Mr Bannon's role is expanding beyond politics

President Donald Trump is reshuffling the US National Security Council (NSC), downgrading the military chiefs of staff and giving a regular seat to his chief strategist Steve Bannon.

Mr Bannon, formerly the head of the populist right-wing, Breitbart News website, will join high-level discussions about national security.

The order was signed on Saturday.

The director of national intelligence and the joint chiefs will attend when discussions pertain to their areas.

Following criticism of the Bannon move, White House press secretary Sean Spicer said on Monday that CIA Director Mike Pompeo would be added to the top circle of national security advisers.

Under previous administrations, the director and joint chiefs attended all meetings of the NSC's inner circle, the principals' committee.

• Profile: Stephen Bannon

• What executive actions has Trump taken?

The National Security Council (NSC) is the main group advising the president on national security and foreign affairs.

It is led by retired lieutenant-general Mike Flynn, who was one of Mr Trump's closest advisers and most ardent supporters during the campaign.

"The security threats facing the United States in the 21st century transcend international boundaries," Mr Trump's executive order said.

"Accordingly, the United States Government's decision-making structures and processes to address these challenges must remain equally adaptive and transformative."

Mr Trump signed the executive orders on Saturday

Last week, Mr Bannon described the US mainstream media as "the opposition party", saying it should "keep its mouth shut".

The site he once managed, Breitbart News, serves up an anti-establishment agenda that critics accuse of xenophobia and misogyny. Under Mr Bannon, it became one of the most-read conservative news and opinion sites in the US.

Mr Trump also ordered a restructuring of the Homeland Security Council.

In two separate measures, the president ordered:

• A ban on administration officials from ever lobbying the US on behalf of a foreign government, and a separate five-year ban on other lobbying.

• A preliminary plan by the secretary of defence to defeat so-called Islamic State (IS) to be presented within 30 days