Another national security official exits
President’s council is being restructured
WASHINGTON – President Trump’s deputy national security adviser will step down from his position at the White House, continuing the exodus of national security officials.
Army Maj. Gen. Rick Waddell assisted national security adviser H.R. McMaster, who departed the White House last week. The White House said Thursday that Waddell would soon step down from that post, although the exact date was not set.
“Waddell is highly respected and very well liked within the White House and the United States Army. We thank him for his continued service,” said White House deputy spokeswoman Lindsay Walters.
Waddell is the fifth high-ranking official caught up in the turnover at the National Security Council this week. The others were:
❚ Tom Bossert, the homeland security adviser who was Trump’s point man on cyber security and hurricane response.
❚ Michael Anton, the NSC spokesman and communication adviser.
❚ Nadia Schadlow, a deputy national security adviser who was an architect of Trump’s “America First” national security strategy.
Trump appointed John Bolton, a former United Nations ambassador and Fox News commentator, to succeed McMaster.
Bolton reported for work at the White House on Monday.