Criticism of Trump, aides spurs firing

Craig Deare, recently appointed the National Security Council’s senior director for Western Hemisphere Affairs, was removed from the agency days after criticizing President Donald Trump and senior White House officials during a private event, said a person familiar with the decision.

Deare had been selected for the role by Michael Flynn, who resigned as Trump’s national security adviser on Feb. 13 after the president and vice president lost confidence in his credibility because he misled them about a conversation with a Russian envoy.

Politico first reported Deare’s dismissal.

Current and former administration officials say Deare’s termination was linked to remarks he made Thursday at a private talk at the Wilson Center, a Washington think tank.

According to one person who attended the discussion, Deare slammed the Trump administration for its policies on Latin America, specifically its rocky start to relations with Mexico. Deare openly expressed frustration over being cut out of most of the policy discussions about Mexico, complaining in particular about chief Trump strategist Stephen Bannon and senior adviser Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law.

The person who attended the Wilson Center talk also noted that Deare made several remarks about how attractive Trump’s daughter, Ivanka Trump, appeared — remarks that the person described as “awkward.”

Deare did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

An official familiar with the situation said Deare was released from his NSC position but not removed from the U.S. government. He was recruited to the security council, part of the president’s executive office, from the National Defense University and will return to his post there, the official said. Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to comScore. Final four-day domestic figures will be released Tuesday. million. million. million. $34.2