WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump had added Secretary of Energy Rick Perry to the National Security Council.

The addition came after Trump removed chief strategist Steve Bannon from the council, reversing a controversial early decision to give Bannon access to the high-level meetings.

Perry served as Texas’ governor from 2000 to 2015 and confirmed as secretary of energy in March.

A new memorandum about the composition of the NSC was published Wednesday in the Federal Register. The memo no longer lists the chief strategist as a member of the Principals Committee, a group of high-ranking officials who convene to discuss pressing national security priorities.

The new memo also restores the director of national intelligence and the Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman to the Principals Committee.

Bannon's addition to the NSC sparked concerns from Trump critics, who said it was inappropriate for the political adviser to play a role in national security matters.

The Trump administration has changed the makeup of the National Security Council Principals Committee. Here are the differences. pic.twitter.com/52aAlqmNOO — Tamara Keith (@tamarakeithNPR) April 5, 2017

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