Trump's deputy national security adviser is walking out the door in the middle of a war.
Andy Baker, a close ally of Vice President JD Vance and one of the chief architects behind the administration's Iran strategy, is expected to leave his post within weeks, according to reports. His departure lands just days after press secretary Karoline Leavitt handed in her own resignation, making this the second major exit from Trump's inner circle in rapid succession.
The timing could not be worse. Tehran is actively targeting commercial vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway that handles roughly one fifth of the planet's oil supply. On Thursday night, Iran launched explosive suicide drones at two oil tankers operated by Abu Dhabi's state owned oil company. The ships sustained minor damage and nobody was hurt, but the United Arab Emirates condemned the strike as piracy, warning it posed a serious threat to global energy security.
Shipping through the strait has basically collapsed. Only nine commodity vessels passed through on Thursday. The daily average for August sat at a measly 12. Before this conflict kicked off, more than 100 ships crossed every single day. Let that sink in.
Baker spent the last 18 months as a central figure in Trump's foreign policy machine. He played a major role in crafting the administration's approach to Iran and advised the president on maintaining the blockade against the Islamic Republic. He also built a reputation as a fierce hawk on China. Baker was deeply involved in peace negotiations with Tehran, including helping draft a Memorandum of Understanding that was signed in June. Iran later walked away from that deal and started blowing up ships.
So what's his reason for leaving? Baker reportedly told people close to him that he wants more time with his family. He also indicated that he stayed on longer than originally intended to ensure a smooth transition.
Baker offered a gracious farewell, expressing pride in the administration's accomplishments and thanking Trump, Vance, and Secretary Rubio for the opportunity.
Vance himself jumped in with glowing praise, calling Baker "an exceptionally gifted, deeply thoughtful advisor" who served with distinction. He described his departing aide as an "indispensable member" of the national security team.
Before joining the White House, Baker worked at the State Department and later served as Vance's national security adviser when Vance was still in the Senate. He followed his boss into the administration after Trump reclaimed the presidency.
Here's the political reality that makes this departure sting. Americans are still dealing with inflated gas prices, and the chaos around Hormuz is a persistent economic headache for the president. Losing the guy who literally designed your Iran playbook while Iranian drones are slamming into oil tankers is, to put it mildly, not ideal.
The White House now faces a gaping hole in its national security operation at one of the most volatile moments of Trump's presidency. Who fills Baker's shoes, and how fast they do it, could shape everything that happens next in the Persian Gulf.
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