Trump adds Rick Perry to National Security Council after removing Bannon

ByKATHERINE FAULDERS ABCNews logo
Wednesday, April 5, 2017
Rick Perry
File Photo
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President Donald Trump has added Energy secretary and former Texas governor Rick Perry to the National Security Council after removing Steve Bannon from his role.

Bannon had been given the authority to participate in National Security Council Principals Committee meetings after Trump signed an executive memorandum in January. At the time, some experts called the move an unprecedented political appointment to the panel.

Bannon, a former Breitbart News executive, had no objections to his removal, a source familiar with the decision told ABC News.

"He was there to babysit [now-former national security adviser Michael] Flynn, to watch him as he deoperationalized the NSC from [Obama-era national security adviser Susan] Rice," the source said. "Mission done."

Flynn was forced to resign from his position in February after he admitted to misleading Trump administration officials on the nature of multiple phone calls with the Russian ambassador to the United States before Trump's inauguration.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.