Who are the five statutory members of the National Security Council?

The five statutory members of the National Security Council (NSC) include the President, Vice President, Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, and Secretary of Energy. This configuration aligns with the established structure defined by U.S. law and practice concerning national security matters.

The President leads the council, and the Vice President acts as a key advisor. The Secretary of State provides insight on international issues and foreign relations, while the Secretary of Defense brings military perspective and capability to discussions. The Secretary of Energy is included due to the critical role that energy policy plays in national security, especially in relation to nuclear energy and other key resources.

Understanding these roles helps clarify the importance of having officials who oversee key aspects of U.S. national interests. The inclusion of other members or variations from this core group typically reflects additional advisory roles or positions that may be called upon but are not designated as statutory members. Therefore, the choice reflects the requisite structure for the council that informs U.S. policy on national security effectively.