Washington: US President Donald Trump has decided to remove the National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster, reported the Washinton Post, and the actively discussing potential replacements, the report said.
The turbulence is part of a broader potential shake-up under consideration by Trump that is likely to include senior officials at the White House, the Post report said.
“The President is enjoying the process of assessing his team and making changes, tightening his inner circle to those he considers survivors and who respect his unconventional style,” a senior White House official said.
Several candidates have emerged as possible McMaster replacements, including John Bolton, a former US ambassador to the UN and Keith Kellogg, the chief of staff of the National Security Council.
However the White House denied all the reports. White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders tweeted that the President and the NSA have a good working relationship.
Just spoke to @POTUS and Gen. H.R. McMaster – contrary to reports they have a good working relationship and there are no changes at the NSC.
— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) March 16, 2018
The news of McMaster’s suspected removal comes after Trump on Tuesday sacked Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, ending his short but tumultuous tenure as the nations chief diplomat.
CIA Director Mike Pompeo will take over the top position.
Trump took to Twitter to share the development.
Mike Pompeo, Director of the CIA, will become our new Secretary of State. He will do a fantastic job! Thank you to Rex Tillerson for his service! Gina Haspel will become the new Director of the CIA, and the first woman so chosen. Congratulations to all!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 13, 2018