Trump Appoints McMaster New National Security Adviser
U.S. President Donald Trump has announced, retired Lt.-Gen. Herbert McMaster, as his new National Security Adviser.
McMaster replaced, retired Gen. Michael Flynn, who was forced to resign on Feb. 13 for withholding some information from Vice President Mike Pence about a call with Russiaâs ambassador to the U.S.
Trump, who made the announcement at his Mar-a-Lago Palm Beach, Florida, where he had been interviewing candidates over the weekend to replace Flynn, described McMaster as âa man of tremendous talent and tremendous experienceâ.
The choice of McMaster came after Trumpâs first choice to replace Flynn, retired Vice Adm. Robert Harward, rejected the offer.
Shortly after announcing McMaster, Trump wrote on his Twitter handle: âJust named General H.R. McMaster, National Security Advisorâ.
He had also, before announcing the new adviser, tweeted: âMeeting with Generals at Mar-a-Lago in Florida. Very interesting!â.
âYouâre going to do a great job,â Trump told McMaster as he made the announcement.â
The President also called McMaster âhighly respected by everyone in the military, and weâre very honoured to have himâ.
Trump also described the new adviser as âa man of tremendous talent and tremendous experienceâ.
Thanking Trump for the appointment that requires no Senate confirmation, McMaster told reporters that âI will just like to say what a privilege it is to be able to continue serving our nation.
âIâm grateful to you for that opportunity, and I look forward to joining the national security team and doing everything that I can to advance and protect the interests of the American people.â
Trump also announced that retired Lt.-Gen. Keith Kellogg, who acted in the capacity when Flynn was fired, would be McMasterâs Chief of Staff.
Kellogg thanked Trump and said it would âbe an honour and privilege to serveâ with McMaster.
The new adviser is the Director of the Army Capabilities Integration Centre, an internal think tank that looks at future threats and how to deal with them.
McMaster is also Deputy Commanding General, Futures, at the Armyâs Training and Doctrine Command. (NAN)