Donald Trump picks Army Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster as his new national security adviser

After the sudden resignation of Michael Flynn, President Donald Trump announced that Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster will serve as the new National Security adviser, reports CNN.

McMaster takes up on the role that was left rudderless by Flynn who had just spent 24 days on the job. He has been working as the head of the Army Capabilities Integration Center.

Upon Flynn’s resignation, Retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg took the job on acting capacity but will now return to his previous job as the chief of staff of the National Security Council.

The President made the announcement from Florida, a day after conducting interviews on McMaster and several other candidates for the post.

McMaster is a vastly experienced military strategist who has been honored for his battlefield leadership during the Iraq and Persian Gulf wars.

But he may find it problematic on his new role considering he has not spent any time at the Pentagon or in Washington, unlike most other officers.

He wasn’t the favorite of Trump to serve as the national security adviser. Last week Mr Trump had approached retired Vice Adm. Robert Harward, who is said to have turned down the job due to disapproval of how the White House is being run.

What made Flynn Resign?

Just some two weeks into his job, reports emerged that Flynn had discussed with the Russians on the matters pertaining sanctions imposed by ex-President Barack Obama.

The former national security adviser unfortunately misled Vice President Mike Pence, who in the past told news agencies that no such discussions have been made.

When the truth was revealed, Trump’s administration became agitated and culminated into Flynn resigning under pressure. Trump said he fired Flynn because of his failure to disclose those details to Pence, but not because of the conversation itself with the Russian ambassador.

Trump’s push for the replacement emerged in the wake of a struggle to have his travel ban given a go ahead by the court. The Judiciary however has frozen its implementation as it is deemed to violate human rights.

The President has vowed that he will issue a new executive order that replaces the one already frozen.  The travel ban and counter court fights have become a symbol of his struggle to implement his promises during the campaign era.

The national security adviser is a vital member of the White House staff. The Senate has no say in his appointment and has traditionally assumed the role of a broker amongst agencies.

Army Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster takes up on the job at a time when the country is facing widespread security matters including allegations that Kremlin meddled in the 2016 general elections and North Korea’s continued push for ballistic missile tests.

E can be compared to Colin Powell who served under Ronald Reagan’s without giving to quit the military. White House leak confirmed to the Washington Post that he will remain a three-star general.