Steve Bannon: The man behind Donald Trump's immigration ban
Updated
US President Donald Trump's executive orders on refugees and immigration have caused enormous controversy around the world.
Key points:
- Steve Bannon with Donald Trump at major events including CIA visit, Theresa May meeting
- Mr Bannon given National Security Council seat, where critics say political strategist has no place
- Mr Bannon to have access, influence in vital areas with little or no experience
That is no surprise given the dramatic changes that have offended so many people.
But, while it was Mr Trump's signature on the document, it had the fingerprints of another man all over it.
Steve Bannon was appointed Mr Trump's senior counsellor and chief strategist, and has been at the President's side for many of the major events of the past few days — including a visit to CIA headquarters and a meeting with UK Prime Minister Theresa May.
Mr Bannon led Mr Trump's election campaign from last August, and was always going to be one of his closest advisers.
Just how close is now becoming evident.
In an unprecedented move, Mr Bannon was given a seat on the National Security Council (NSC) — the peak advisory body that warns of threats to the United States and suggests responses.
At the same time, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Director of National Intelligence have had their roles reduced from regular attendees to an "as needs" basis.
For a president that has promised to "make America safe again", this organisation plays a key role advising on complex threats from places like the Middle East, Russia and China.
Critics of the move — and there are many of them — complain a political strategist has no place on the NSC, especially when senior voices from the intelligence establishment have been effectively demoted.
And all this comes as Mr Trump — who faces multiple challenges overseas — is the least-prepared president on foreign issues for decades.
Mr Bannon's conduit to the NSC comes with some heavy political baggage that will not inspire confidence Mr Trump will get and act on the best possible advice.
Bannon to influence vital areas with little or no experience
Mr Bannon has an interesting history.
A former navy recruit-turned-investment-banker-turned-filmmaker, he has certainly had a varied career.
But his time as head of Breitbart News is where he attracted attention, including admiration from Mr Trump.
Detractors describe the online news service as the mouthpiece of the "alt-right" and it has certainly offered unwavering support for Mr Trump.
It has also been accused by critics of spreading racism, sexism and even white supremacy.
What is not contested is long ago, Mr Bannon lost faith in both major political parties' abilities to solve the nation's problems.
And he is a prime pusher of Mr Trump's view of Washington being an intractable swamp that needs to be drained.
Apart from his current boss, the only president he respected in recent times was Ronald Reagan.
In fact, he made a movie about him.
What worries many is Mr Bannon is fast emerging as the most influential advisor in Mr Trump's White House.
He is behind the controversial immigration orders.
He will have access and influence over foreign and defence policy and actions — and all with little or no experience — in vital areas that will shape America's place in the world.
It is a sharp departure from the way the business of government has been done to date.
But that is exactly what the new President promised.
Mr Bannon's role will not diminish.
All of us — Americans and the "others" — should be aware he is emerging as the second most important man in the United States.
And what he believes is often going to determine how Mr Trump thinks and acts.
Topics: federal-government, government-and-politics, donald-trump, us-elections, united-states
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