**UPDATE**
We have now learned that General H.R. McMaster is considering a massive reorganization of the White House foreign policy team, giving him control of Homeland Security and full access to military and intelligence agencies.
President Trump announced that Army Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster is his choice to replace Michael Flynn as National Security Adviser.
McMaster has been described as a “warrior scholar,” and is a highly respected, highly decorated military officer.
Trump announced his selection on social media:
Just named General H.R. McMaster National Security Advisor.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 20, 2017
Via Fox News:
President Trump on Monday tapped Army Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster, a warrior-scholar deemed an expert in counter insurgency, to be the director of the White House’s National Security Council.
The 54-year-old McMaster replaces retired Army Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn as the president’s national security adviser. Flynn was forced to resign after lying about talking to Russia, before he officially took the NSA post, about recently imposed sanctions.
“He is a man of tremendous talent and experience,” Trump said in announcing McMaster’s appointment. “He’s highly respected in the military, and we’re lucky to have him.”
McMaster said he is “proud to continue my service to the nation.”
Just last week, senior advisers had been pushing for Ambassador John Bolton to be named as head of the NSA, something that surely would have made liberals heads explode.
The selection of McMaster is no small addition, however.
From Heavy:
McMaster’s decorations include the Purple Heart, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star and Joint Service Commendation Medal. He also has medals from his service in Afghanistan, Iraq and the Global War on Terrorism. He also received a NATO Medal and Kuwait Liberation Medals from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
Additionally, McMaster will serve as a strong independent voice, having authored a book that challenged military officers in Vietnam for not calling out leadership on their weak strategies.
Gen. Peter Pace, former chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the book is “considered the seminal work on military’s responsibility during Vietnam to confront their civilian bosses when strategy was not working.”
McMaster also recognizes how the military has been decimated under former President Obama, saying the Army had been “out-ranged and outgunned by many potential adversaries” during testimony in April of 2016.
You know it has to be a good selection when even one of President Trump’s fiercest critics is singing McMaster’s praises.
Lt Gen HR McMaster is outstanding choice for nat’l security advisor – man of genuine intellect, character & ability https://t.co/rYmJm00Xdf
— John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) February 20, 2017
Even members of the liberal media were quick to sing McMaster’s praises:
By replacing Mike Flynn with H.R. McMaster, Trump gets an upgrade at national security advisor, reports @ExumAM https://t.co/WjFW7dVJIi pic.twitter.com/blFFNB8V9o
— The Atlantic (@TheAtlantic) February 20, 2017
POTUS has picked highly decorated General H.R. McMaster to be his National Security Adviser
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) February 20, 2017
H.R. McMaster wrote the excellent Dereliction of Duty: Johnson, McNamara, The Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Lies that Led to Vietnam
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) February 20, 2017
Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster, candidate for national security adviser, knows about standing up to the president. He wrote the book on it. pic.twitter.com/SKg5O6IuFg
— Bryan Bender (@BryanDBender) February 18, 2017
Comment: Do you support President Trump’s selection for National Security Adviser? Tell us what you think below.