Trump Aide Steve Bannon Removed From National Security Council

Trump has "reorganized" his National Security Council, removing Steve Bannon. Trump's chief strategist was removed from his National Security Council role Wednesday, Bloombergreported, citing a senior administration official. Homeland Security Adviser Tom Bossert was also reportedly downgraded.

Though some might assume the reorganization was a surprise to Bannon, the former Breitbart executive chair claimed in a statement to the Wall Street Journal Wednesday that he was only on the National Security Council to make sure it was "de-operationalized."

An ABC News source echoed the "de-operationalized" explanation Wednesday, adding that Bannon was on the council to "babysit" former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn. "Mission done," the source said. Bannon had been "given the authority" to be involved with National Security Council Principals Committee meetings in January, when Trump inked an executive memorandum. Bannon's inclusion was widely panned, with many criticizing his Breitbart connections.

In November, the Southern Poverty Law Center issued a statement explaining why Bannon "has no business" in the White House. "Bannon has a long history of bigotry," the SPLC statement said. "He has insinuated that African-Americans are 'naturally aggressive and violent' and under his leadership, Breitbart's publishing strategy turned to one that has made it the media arm of the racist Alternative-Right movement, publishing articles promoting popular white nationalist tropes such as 'black on white crime' and that 'rape culture' is inherent in Islam.'"

So what's next for Bannon? This guy has an idea: