Trump picks Lt Gen McMaster as new national security adviser

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump has tapped Herbert Raymond McMaster, a decorated and outspoken US Army lieutenant general to be his new national security adviser, days after he fired his first pick and his second turned down the crucial post.

President Donald Trump reaches out to shake hands with Army Lt Gen HR McMaster. AP/PTI

Washington, February 21

President Donald Trump has tapped Herbert Raymond McMaster, a decorated and outspoken US Army lieutenant general to be his new national security adviser, days after he fired his first pick and his second turned down the crucial post.

The 54-year-old, McMaster, the head of the Army Capabilities Integration Centre, will become one of Trump’s top national security and foreign policy advisers, taking the helm of the White House’s National Security Council, which was left rudderless after Lt Gen Michael Flynn was forced to resign after just 24 days on the job.

“I just wanted to announce that Gen H R McMaster will become the national security adviser. He’s a man of tremendous talent and tremendous experience,” Trump said while making the announcement at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida yesterday.

“I watched and read a lot over the last two days. He is highly respected by everyone in the military and we’re very honored to have him,” Trump said.

In his brief remarks, McMaster said he looks forward to joining the national security team and doing everything he can to advance and protect the interests of the American people.

McMaster will take on the new role after having served several tours of duty in Germany, Southwest Asia and Iraq, including a stint as special assistant to Gen. David Petraeus when he was commander of the US-led coalition forces in Iraq during the 2007 troop surge.

McMaster’s predecessor, Lt Gen Michael Flynn was forced out by Trump after revelations that he misled Vice President Mike Pence about discussing sanctions with Russia’s ambassador to the US during the presidential transition.

Trump then offered the job to retired Vice Admiral Robert Harward, who turned down the role, citing “personal reasons”.

The acting national security adviser, Gen (retd) Keith Kellogg, will now serve as Trump’s national security council chief of staff.

The President also said John Bolton, a former US ambassador to the United Nations, would serve the administration in another capacity. — PTI