White House deputy national security adviser Andy Baker is set to leave the administration in the coming weeks, closing out an 18-month tenure that placed him at the center of the administration’s foreign policy and national security decisions.
Baker held dual roles, also serving as national security adviser to Vice President JD Vance. He was personally involved in this year’s negotiations with Iran, and his departure follows a leadership transition already underway, reported Axios.
Cliff Sims took over as Vance’s national security adviser earlier this summer and will continue in that post, while Mike Needham remains as deputy national security adviser.
“Baker served as a foreign service officer at the State Department several years ago and then joined then-Sen. Vance’s team as a national security advisor,” Axios reported. “A source close to Baker said he wants to spend more time with his family and stayed on months longer than planned to ensure an orderly transition to Sims and Needham.”
In a statement to Axios, Baker called the experience “an amazing journey” and expressed gratitude to Trump, Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Vance described him as “exceptionally gifted” and “indispensable,” Rubio called him “an invaluable asset,” Needham called him “a brilliant foreign policy mind,” and special envoy Steve Witkoff credited him with working “tirelessly” to advance the president’s agenda and close deals abroad.
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