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Trump Shakes up White House With Top-Notch Security Adviser in Wake of McMaster Firing

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In the latest major staffing change to impact the White House, President Donald Trump this week announced his intention to replace his national security adviser.

He confirmed his intention Thursday in a tweet, explaining he will replace current national security adviser H.R. McMaster with former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. John Bolton, effective next month.

“I am very thankful for the service of General H.R. McMaster who has done an outstanding job & will always remain my friend,” Trump wrote.

In an appearance on Fox News shortly after Trump posted the tweet, Bolton himself expressed surprise over the abrupt announcement.

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“I didn’t really expect that announcement this afternoon, but it’s obviously a great honor,” he said. “It’s always an honor to serve our country and I think particularly in these times internationally, it’s a particular honor.”

Bolton served as a recess appointment under President George W. Bush as U.N. ambassador on a temporary basis.

His Senate confirmation stalled, however, when some Republicans joined Democrats in criticizing his hawkish policies in Iraq and elsewhere as well as previous controversial comments regarding the legitimacy of the U.N.

Unlike ambassadors, a president’s national security adviser appointee does not require congressional confirmation.

Do you think John Bolton is the right choice?

On issues like the Iraq War, where he disagrees with Trump, Bolton said he would defer to the president’s positions, as reported by Bloomberg.

“I’ve never been shy about what my views are,” Bolton said in his Fox News interview Thursday. In his new position, however, he said his personal opinions will play a diminished role “and the important thing is what the president says and what advice I give him.”

The staffing change came amid widespread speculation that McMaster was among several high-level officials on the chopping block as Trump continues to reconfigure his inner circle.

As CBS News reported earlier this month, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders was among those speaking on Trump’s behalf to confirm McMaster’s position was safe.

She repeated the assurance during a news briefing and on Twitter.

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Adding to his Twitter announcement, Trump issued a separate statement offering further praise for McMaster’s service.

“General McMaster’s leadership of the National Security Council staff has helped my administration accomplish great things to bolster America’s national security,” he said.

Trump went on to offer specific accomplishments, including the Army officer’s efforts to “develop our America First National Security Strategy, revitalize our alliances in the Middle East, smash ISIS, bring North Korea to the table, and strengthen our nation’s prosperity.”

He concluded that McMaster’s “achievements will ensure that America builds on its economic and military advantages.”

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Chris Agee is an American journalist with more than 15 years of experience in a wide range of newsrooms.
Chris Agee is an American journalist with more than 15 years of experience in a variety of newsroom settings. After covering crime and other beats for newspapers and radio stations across the U.S., he served as managing editor at Western Journalism until 2017. He has also been a regular guest and guest host on several syndicated radio programs. He lives in Phoenix, Arizona, with his wife and son.
Birthplace
Virginia
Nationality
American
Honors/Awards
Texas Press Association, Best News Writing - 2012
Education
Bachelor of Arts, Journalism - Averett University
Professional Memberships
Online News Association
Location
Arizona
Topics of Expertise
Politics, Entertainment




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