President Trump’s pick to replace former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn turned down the job today. Trump had offered the position to Robert Harward, a former navy SEAL and deputy commander of U.S. Central Command. Harward, 60, had been widely reported as the favorite to replace former general Michael Flynn, who resigned Monday in disgrace after misleading Vice President Pence about the nature of his conversations with the Russian ambassador.
The Washington Post, CBS News and The Financial Times reported that Harward turned down the position in part because of concerns that he would not have full say over the composition of his staff. It was reported that Trump insisted that Deputy National Security Adviser K.T. McFarland be allowed to stay on, and Harward refused to retain the former Fox News analyst and Flynn hire.
Harward, currently a senior executive at Lockheed Martin, also cited the apparent lack of organization within the Trump White House, FT and CNN reported. His decision came after watching Trump’s press conference regarding Flynn’s firing.
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