White House Deputy National Security Adviser Andy Baker to Depart as Iran Conflict Intensifies
President Donald Trump is seeing a key national security official prepare to step down.
White House deputy national security adviser Andy Baker is expected to leave the administration within weeks.
Baker is a longtime ally of Vice President JD Vance.
His planned exit comes just days after press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced she was stepping down.
The timing coincides with escalating tensions involving Iran.
Tehran has been targeting commercial shipping and threatening the Strait of Hormuz.
That waterway is critical to the global oil trade.
Baker played a central role in Trump’s foreign policy operation for the past 18 months.
He helped shape the administration’s Iran strategy.
He advised the president on maintaining the blockade against the Islamic Republic.
Baker also earned a reputation as a hard-liner on China.
He had a major role in the now-frozen peace negotiations with Iran.
That included helping draft the Memorandum of Understanding signed in June.
Tehran later abandoned the agreement.
The regime then began attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
The narrow passage normally carries about one-fifth of the world’s oil.
The latest assault came Thursday night.
Iran unleashed explosive suicide drones against two oil tankers operated by Abu Dhabi’s state-owned oil company in the Persian Gulf.
The vessels suffered only minor damage.
No casualties were reported.
The United Arab Emirates condemned the attack as piracy.
Officials warned that it endangered global energy security.
Shipping traffic through the strategic passage remains dramatically below prewar levels.
Iran continues to claim control over the strait.
Just nine commodity vessels traveled through the waterway on Thursday, according to shipping data.
The daily average in August has been around 12.
Before the conflict, more than 100 vessels crossed the strait each day.
The situation has created ongoing challenges for energy markets.
Americans continue to face elevated gas prices as the crisis around Hormuz continues.
Baker has told associates that he wants to spend more time with his family.
He also said he stayed in the administration longer than originally planned to help oversee an orderly transition.
“This has been an amazing journey. I’m proud of everything we’ve achieved and, of course, am incredibly grateful to the President, Vice President, and Secretary Rubio,” Baker told Axios.
Baker began his career at the State Department.
He later became then-Sen. JD Vance’s national security adviser.
He followed Vance into the White House after President Trump returned to power.
Vice President Vance personally praised his departing aide.
“Andy is an exceptionally gifted, deeply thoughtful advisor who has served the President and me with distinction,” Vance said.
“He has been an indispensable member of our administration’s national security team.”
Baker’s departure comes at a volatile moment.
The administration continues its firm approach toward the Iranian regime.
Attacks in the Persian Gulf are squeezing shipping traffic and keeping pressure on energy prices.
President Trump’s team remains focused on protecting American interests and confronting threats from Tehran.
Personnel changes are part of any administration.
The priority stays on strong national security and results for the American people.
Benjamin Harris is a RapidReports front page contributor and editor,proud father of four.
