Bolton replaced McMaster as National Security Advisor on April 9, 2018.
“ [ 160 ] Bolton was seen at the White House on the evening of March 6, 2018, presumably to be interviewed as a candidate for national security adviser. [ 161 ] The New York Times reported on March 22, 2018, that John Bolton would replace National Security Adviser H. R. McMaster, which was confirmed by Trump in a tweet later that day. Bolton began his position as National Security Advisor on April 9, 2018. [ 162 ] [ 163 ] The New York Times wrote that the rise of Bolton and Mike Pompeo , coupled with the departure of Rex Tillerson and General McMaster, meant Trump's foreign policy team was now ”
McMaster faced coordinated attacks from Bannon allies and Russian bots after firing NSC staff.
“ after he fired several National Security Council staff members. [ 60 ] [ 61 ] [ 62 ] White House officials and journalists suspected Steve Bannon of leading these attacks. [ 63 ] [ 64 ] Attorney Mike Cernovich , radio host Alex Jones and Breitbart News were among the foremost promoters of the anti-McMaster campaign; Cernovich's website for the campaign also included a cartoon depicting McMaster, which the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) labeled antisemitic . [ 65 ] [ 66 ] In addition, the Center for Security Policy criticized McMaster for being insufficiently conservative and for not supporting Trump's agenda. [ 67 ] [ 68 ] [ 69 ] The Russian intelligence services used internet bots and trolls to campaign to get McMaster out. The anti-McMaster campaign prompted dismissive responses by administration officials, and a statement from Trump affirming his confidence in McMaster. [ 70 ] [ 71 ] In February 2018, McMaster said that it was ”
Trump nominated McMaster as National Security Advisor on February 20, 2017, requiring Senate confirmation.
“ [ 51 ] On February 20, 2017, U.S. President Donald Trump nominated McMaster for National Security Advisor following the resignation of Michael T. Flynn [ 52 ] [ 53 ] on February 13. [ 54 ] Trump asked McMaster to remain on active duty while he served as national security advisor. [ 55 ] [ 56 ] Because McMaster intended to remain on active duty, his official assumption of the National Security Advisor's duties and responsibilities required a United States Senate vote; lieutenant generals and generals require Senate confirmation of their rank and assignments. [ 57 ] On March 6, 2017, the Senate Armed Services Committee voted 23–2 to recommend to the full Senate that McMaster be confirmed for reappointment at his lieutenant general rank during his service as the National Security Advisor. [ 58 ] The committee recommendation was referred to the Senate on March 7, and the full Senate confirmed McMaster by a vote of 86–10 on March 15, 2017. [ 59 ] In early August, McMaster was targeted by what some deemed a ”