President turned down by latest national security choice
WASHINGTON — Retired Vice Admiral Robert Harward has turned down an offer to be President Donald Trump’s new national security adviser, the latest blow to a new administration struggling to find its footing.
“A s— sandwich” is how Harward described the offer, a friend of the retired admiral told CNN. Harward was reluctant to join the administration because it seemed so chaotic, the friend said.
Harward told The Associated Press that the Trump administration was “very accommodating to my needs, both professionally and personally.”
“It’s purely a personal issue,” Harward said Thursday evening. “I’m in a unique position finally after being in the military for 40 years to enjoy some personal time.”
Asked whether he had requested to bring in his own staff at the National Security Council, Harward said, “I think that’s for the president to address.”
Following the exit of Gen. Michael Flynn, administration officials said his deputy, KT McFarland, was staying on at the NSC. McFarland is a former Fox News analyst.
Flynn resigned at Trump’s request Monday after revelations that he misled Vice President Mike Pence about discussing sanctions with Russia’s ambassador to the U. S. during the transition. Trump said in a news conference Thursday that he was disappointed by how Flynn had treated Pence but did not believe Flynn had done anything wrong by having the conversations.
Acosta is labor choice
Seeking a surer bet to fill out his Cabinet, Trump on Thursday moved quickly to name law school dean Alexander Acosta as his new choice for labor secretary — a day after Andrew Puzder abruptly withdrew from consideration.
If confirmed by the Senate, Acosta would be the first Hispanic member of Trump’s Cabinet.
Trump and key Republicans highlighted a key detail in Acosta’s resume: He has won unanimous Senate confirmation three times — to a seat on the National Labor Relations Board, as the head of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and as U. S. attorney in Miami.
“He did very, very well,” Trump, said in a brief statement to start a White House press conference. Acosta did not appear with him.