Ambassador John Bolton to Replace H.R. McMaster as National Security Advisor

President Donald Trump announced that Ambassador John Bolton will replace General H.R. McMaster as National Security Advisor. The expected move comes amid a White House shakeup meant to move the Trump Administration back toward structural realism and economic nationalism.

“I am pleased to announce that, effective 4/9/18, @AmbJohnBolton will be my new National Security Advisor. I am very thankful for the service of General H.R. McMaster who has done an outstanding job & will always remain my friend. There will be an official contact handover on 4/9.”

I am pleased to announce that, effective 4/9/18, @AmbJohnBolton will be my new National Security Advisor. I am very thankful for the service of General H.R. McMaster who has done an outstanding job & will always remain my friend. There will be an official contact handover on 4/9.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 22, 2018

Worth noting, the National Security Council (NSC) under General McMaster was a constant source of leaking at the White House, including leaks meant to damage the commander-in-chief politically. Last week, a member of the NSC leaked a conversation President Trump had with Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which he congratulated him on his recent reelection.

The Washington Post ran with the story as if to show an overly friendly gesture to Mr. Putin, without mentioning that Barack Obama did the same in 2012. Mr. Obama also congratulated the then-newly-elected president of Iran and the radical Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt. The latter, which spawned the organization known today as al-Qaeda, was even invited to the White House.

John R. Bolton served as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations (UN) from August 2005 until December 2006. He was a recess appointee by President George W. Bush and resigned before Democrats were set to take control in January 2007. The newly-elected majority vowed to oppose his confirmation.

Mr. Bolton was no doubt considered a devout neoconservative at the advent of the Iraq War. But with the return of realism to the Republican Party in the era of President Trump, he has grown considerably closer to the structural realism school of international relations.

“He’s no neocon,” a source and close friend to Mr. Bolton told People’s Pundit Daily (PPD). “He’s America First and kick ass, too.”

Nevertheless, President Trump values differences of opinions in his White House just as he did in his private business. His style is simple: let them fight it out and make their case. If the decision is a close call, he’ll go with his gut instinct.