President Trump Names Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster As New National Security Advisor
MEP: President Donald Trump has selected Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster on Monday as his next national security adviser, filling the void left last week by the sudden dismissal of Michael Flynn.
McMaster is a widely respected military leader who once wrote a book criticising the military’s top brass for failing to sufficiently challenge civilian leaders during the Vietnam War.
A lieutenant general with the US Army, HR McMaster served in Iraq and Afghanistan, where he worked on a government anti-corruption drive.
Mr Trump’s first choice, retired Vice Admiral Robert Harward, turned down the role, citing “personal reasons”.
His first pick, Michael Flynn, had to resign on February 13 after reports emerged of his secret discussions with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak about sanctions the outgoing administration of President Barack Obama imposed on Moscow late last year.
Trump described McMaster as “a man of tremendous talent and tremendous experience.”
He made the announcement while sitting on a sofa between McMaster, dressed in uniform, and retired US Army lieutenant general Keith Kellogg in the living room of Mar-a-Lago, where music played overhead.
“I think that combination is very, very special,” he told reporters.
McMaster called the appointment a privilege and said he looks forward to doing “everything I can to advance and protect the interests of the American people.”
