1st LD Writethru: Stephen Bannon removed from National Security Council

White House Chief Strategist Stephen Bannon was removed from his controversial seat in the National Security Council(NSC), U.S. media reported Wednesday.

U.S. President Donald Trump made the adjustment in a National Security Presidential Memorandum that outlined the members and their respective duties in the NSC, which did not include Bannon's role.

National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster was left in charge of setting meeting agendas and overseeing Tom Bossert, the Homeland Security Advisor.

Bannon was given a seat the NSC shortly after Trump ascended into the White House, a rare responsibility for senior White House advisers.

In a statement to the Wall Street Journal, Bannon said "Susan Rice operationalized the NSC during the last administration. I was put on to ensure that it was de-operationalized," Bannon was quoted as saying.

"General McMaster has returned the NSC to its proper function," Bannon said.

Multiple U.S. media cited White House officials as saying that Bannon's leave was not a demotion nor a result of power struggle, but that his role was no longer needed.

Under the new arrangement, Bannon can still participate in NSC meetings, but not necessarily all NSC meetings.

Flynn was ousted in February due to a scandal that involved inappropriate connection between Flynn and Russia, McMaster was appointed to succeed Flynn. Endit