President Donald Trump is facing another significant departure from his administration at an especially sensitive moment, with an increasingly volatile situation overseas putting additional pressure on the White House.
The latest exit comes just days after another prominent administration official announced plans to leave, although the departing aide says he is proud of what the administration has accomplished.
White House deputy national security adviser Andy Baker is expected to leave the Trump administration within weeks as the war with Iran continues and Tehran steps up attacks on commercial shipping near the Strait of Hormuz, according to Axios.
Baker, a longtime ally of Vice President JD Vance, has been a central figure in Trump’s foreign policy operation for approximately 18 months and played a significant role in developing the administration’s strategy toward Iran.
His departure comes shortly after White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that she would leave her position at the end of August to spend more time with her two young children.
Baker has reportedly offered a similar explanation to associates, saying he wants to spend more time with his family after remaining in the administration longer than he initially intended.
“This has been an amazing journey,” Baker told Axios.
“I’m proud of everything we’ve achieved and, of course, am incredibly grateful to the President, Vice President, and Secretary Rubio,” he added.
Baker reportedly stayed beyond his original planned departure date in an effort to help oversee an orderly transition.
His exit is particularly notable because of the prominent role he played in shaping Trump’s approach to Iran, including advising the president on maintaining the blockade against the Islamic Republic.
Baker was also involved in the now-frozen negotiations aimed at ending the conflict and helped draft the Memorandum of Understanding signed with Iran in June.
That agreement subsequently collapsed as Tehran resumed attacks on commercial vessels traveling through the Strait of Hormuz.
The strategically critical waterway handles approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil supply, making disruptions there potentially consequential for energy markets far beyond the Middle East.
The latest attack came Thursday night when Iran launched explosive suicide drones against two oil tankers operated by Abu Dhabi’s state-owned oil company in the Persian Gulf.
Both vessels reportedly suffered minor damage, and no casualties were reported.
The United Arab Emirates nevertheless condemned the attacks as piracy and warned that targeting commercial vessels threatened global energy security.
Shipping activity through the Strait of Hormuz remains dramatically lower than it was before the war.
Only nine commodity vessels reportedly passed through the waterway Thursday, while the daily average for August has been approximately 12.
Before the conflict began, more than 100 vessels reportedly traveled through the strait each day.
The disruption has also created a domestic political challenge for Trump as elevated gasoline prices and inflation continue putting pressure on American consumers.
Baker’s departure means the president will soon lose one of the advisers most directly involved in developing the administration’s strategy for confronting those challenges.
The departing official’s relationship with Vance stretches back to before either man entered the White House.
Baker began his career at the State Department before becoming Vance’s national security adviser while Vance served in the Senate.
He subsequently followed Vance into the White House after Trump returned to the presidency.
Vance offered significant praise for his longtime aide after news of Baker’s planned departure became public.
“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,” the vice president added, Axios reported.
Baker also developed a reputation within the administration as a China hard-liner, making his portfolio considerably broader than the ongoing confrontation with Tehran.
