Source: Kataeb.org
Sunday 1 June 2025 13:07:34
Morgan Ortagus, the U.S. Deputy Special Envoy to the Middle East in charge of Lebanon policy, is expected to be dismissed from her post amid a broader reshuffle affecting several senior officials involved in Middle East affairs, Israel’s Channel 14 reported.
Investigative journalist Laura Loomer, citing sources within the White House, reported that Morgan Ortagus is set to leave her position, with a successor expected to be named later this week.
"I’m told she will be cordially reassigned to another role in the Trump administration. She wanted to be the Special Envoy to Syria, but the position was instead given to Tom Barrack," Loomer noted.
Among those recently ousted are Merav Ceren, an Israeli-American official who handled the Iran portfolio, and Eric Trager, who oversaw Middle East and North Africa affairs at the U.S. National Security Council. Both were known for their staunchly pro-Israel views, according to the report.
Ceren and Trager were both appointed under former National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, who recently transitioned to his new post as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Their dismissals came after Waltz’s successor, Marco Rubio, moved to restructure the team.
The post of National Security Advisor remains officially vacant, with Secretary of State Marc Rubio temporarily assuming its responsibilities, the report said.
The channel noted that the shake-up was not tied to the individuals’ policy positions but rather reflected President Donald Trump’s broader approach to reorganizing the NSC. The aim, according to the report, is to downsize the council’s influence and centralize foreign policy decisions within a smaller, more trusted circle of advisers.
As part of this restructuring, the position of National Security Advisor currently remains vacant, with Secretary of State Marc Rubio temporarily filling the role, the report said.
Channel 14 concluded that the wave of dismissals does not bode well for Israel, which is losing key allies in Washington at a time when issues such as Iran’s regional behavior and Hezbollah’s military capabilities remain highly sensitive.