Trump's strategist Steve Bannon dropped from National Security Council

Bannon’s removal from the National Security Council on Wednesday came as a relief to many who believed his appointment was a miscalculated move on Trump’s part.

The move is considered both a setback for Trump and Bannon. Bannon is one of Trump's most trusted advisers, and many branded him as being the one with the most power in the White House, despite having no policy experience.

Trump made no statement on the shift, but Bannon described it as part of a process of getting the council under control after it grew rapidly under President Barack Obama's national security adviser, Susan Rice; a growth that the Trump administration tried to reverse.

"Susan Rice operationalised the NSC during the last administration so I was put on National Security Council to ensure it was 'de-operationalised.'

General McMaster has NSC back to its proper function, Bannon said in a statement, implying that the only reason he lost his position was because his work on the National Security Council was complete.

As chief White House strategist, Bannon helped shape far-right divisive discourse that helped Trump win the elections.

Agencies contributed to this report