Trump’s new NSA Bolton takes charge

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump’s third national security adviser John Bolton started work on Monday, a day after the White House announced the abrupt departure of Michael Anton as the top spokesperson of the national security council.

Bolton tweeted on Sunday: “Tomorrow I look forward to starting as National Security Advisor, and working with President Trump and his team to keep America safe and secure in these challenging times.”

Anton is leaving to join a conservative school’s Washington chapter as a writer and lecturer. It was not immediately known if his departure was linked to Bolton taking charge — some reports said Bolton may order a massive shake-up of the national security council staff to get rid of political appointees.

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement: “Michael is one of the smartest and most talented individuals I’ve ever worked with — not to mention an amazing chef. He has been more than a colleague, he is a true friend.”

Trump had not remarked on his departure at the time of going to print.

Anton told Politico news site: “I will be forever grateful to President Trump for the opportunity to serve my country and implement his agenda.”

Anton was known for a piece he wrote in the run up to the 2016 election, in which he had rallied conservatives by arguing that “a Hillary Clinton presidency is Russian roulette with a semiauto”, while with a Trump presidency “at least you can spin the cylinder and take your chances”.

Bolton’s appointment, announced by Trump on Twitter in March, came amidst a massive shake up of his national security team. The former US ambassador to the UN replaced HR Mcmaster shortly after CIA director Mike Pompeo was moved to replace Rex Tillerson as secretary of state and Gina Haspel was moved up the CIA ladder to make her the first woman to head the spy agency.