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Trump replaces National Security Adviser HR McMaster with John Bolton Trump replaces National Security Adviser HR McMaster with John Bolton
(35 minutes later)
President Donald Trump is replacing US National Security Adviser HR McMaster with Bush-era defence hawk John Bolton. President Donald Trump is replacing US National Security Adviser HR McMaster with Bush-era defence hawk and former United Nations ambassador John Bolton.
In a tweet, Mr Trump said he was thankful for Gen McMaster's service and said he had done an "outstanding job". Mr Bolton will take the job on 4 April. Mr Trump tweeted to thank Gen McMaster, saying he had done an "outstanding job & will always remain my friend".
He is the latest high-profile departure from the White House. Mr Bolton, who has backed attacking North Korea and Iran, told Fox News his job would be to ensure the president has "the full range of options".
Last week, Mr Trump fired Secretary of State Rex Tillerson via Twitter, replacing him with former CIA Director Mike Pompeo. Gen McMaster is the latest high-profile departure from the White House.
Mr Bolton will be Mr Trump's third national security adviser in the 14 months of the administration and is to take over next month. Last week, Mr Trump fired Secretary of State Rex Tillerson by a tweet, replacing him with former CIA Director Mike Pompeo.
Mr Bolton, whose appointment does not require US Senate confirmation, will be Mr Trump's third national security adviser in 14 months. He will take the job on 4 April.
Who is John Bolton?Who is John Bolton?
Known for his walrus moustache, Mr Bolton, 69, has served in the administrations of Ronald Reagan, George HW Bush and George W Bush. Mr Bolton, 69, has been a foreign policy hawk in Republican circles for decades, having served in the administrations of Ronald Reagan, George HW Bush and George W Bush.
The second Bush appointed him as US envoy to the UN, during which time diplomats privately criticised Mr Bolton's style as abrasive.The second Bush appointed him as US envoy to the UN, during which time diplomats privately criticised Mr Bolton's style as abrasive.
A strident neo-conservative, Mr Bolton helped build the case that Saddam Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction, which turned out to be wrong.A strident neo-conservative, Mr Bolton helped build the case that Saddam Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction, which turned out to be wrong.
Mr Bolton does not appear to have moderated his views since his last spell in government. He stands by the invasion of Iraq and has called for the US to attack Iran and North Korea. Known for his walrus moustache, Mr Bolton does not appear to have greatly moderated his views since his last spell in government.
He stands by the invasion of Iraq and has advocated in newspaper op-eds using military force against North Korea and Iran.
Mr Bolton - a hawk's hawkMr Bolton - a hawk's hawk
Analysis by BBC North America reporter Anthony ZurcherAnalysis by BBC North America reporter Anthony Zurcher
Earlier this month, Donald Trump tweeted: "I still have some people that I want to change". He wasn't kidding.Earlier this month, Donald Trump tweeted: "I still have some people that I want to change". He wasn't kidding.
Since then chief economic adviser Gary Cohn, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, personal lawyer John Dowd and now National Security Adviser HR McMaster have headed to (or been shown) the exits.Since then chief economic adviser Gary Cohn, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, personal lawyer John Dowd and now National Security Adviser HR McMaster have headed to (or been shown) the exits.
One explanation is that the president feels more comfortable in his job - and more willing to challenge the advice given him by his closest aides.One explanation is that the president feels more comfortable in his job - and more willing to challenge the advice given him by his closest aides.
He has chaffed against the perception that he is being "handled" by those around him, and is installing men who agree to action, instead of preaching caution.He has chaffed against the perception that he is being "handled" by those around him, and is installing men who agree to action, instead of preaching caution.
When it comes to Iran, Mr Bolton and the president are on the same page. Coupled with Mr Tillerson's exit, the US is heading toward a much more confrontational relationship with the Islamic Republic.When it comes to Iran, Mr Bolton and the president are on the same page. Coupled with Mr Tillerson's exit, the US is heading toward a much more confrontational relationship with the Islamic Republic.
In other ways, however, the former UN ambassador is an unusual choice.In other ways, however, the former UN ambassador is an unusual choice.
Mr Trump frequently has called the Iraq war a colossal mistake - the same war that Mr Bolton enthusiastically promoted during his time in the George W Bush administration.Mr Trump frequently has called the Iraq war a colossal mistake - the same war that Mr Bolton enthusiastically promoted during his time in the George W Bush administration.
Candidate Trump regularly espoused non-interventionism. Mr Bolton is a hawk's hawk.Candidate Trump regularly espoused non-interventionism. Mr Bolton is a hawk's hawk.
Now that hawk has a perch in the Oval Office.Now that hawk has a perch in the Oval Office.
Why is Trump replacing McMaster?Why is Trump replacing McMaster?
In a brief statement on Thursday, Gen McMaster thanked President Trump for appointing him and said he was applying to retire from the US Army this summer.In a brief statement on Thursday, Gen McMaster thanked President Trump for appointing him and said he was applying to retire from the US Army this summer.
The 55-year-old is leaving after just over a year as national security adviser. The 55-year-old three-star general is leaving after just over a year as national security adviser.
But White House reporter Tara McKelvey says he seems happy about his decision. The White House said Mr Trump and Gen McMaster had "mutually agreed" that he would leave.
She says she saw Gen McMaster recently joking with colleagues in the West Wing, and he had already worked out his exit strategy. He had been rumoured for weeks to be on his way out.
Gen McMaster's character had reportedly rubbed members of the Trump administration the wrong way. Gen McMaster's departure came a day after someone at the White House leaked to media that Mr Trump was advised this week in briefing documents not to congratulate Russian President Vladimir Putin on his recent re-election, but did it anyway.
The president had referred to the army lieutenant general's briefings as "gruff and condescending", a source told CNN. He was also described as "aggressive" and prone to lecture. White House reporter Tara McKelvey says Gen McMaster seems happy about his decision.
She says she saw him recently joking with colleagues in the West Wing, and he had already worked out his exit strategy.
The president had reportedly found Gen McMaster's briefings to be grating. He was also described as aggressive and prone to lecture.
Gen McMaster replaced Lt Gen Michael Flynn, who was fired after less than a month in the job for misleading the White House about his contacts with the Russian ambassador.Gen McMaster replaced Lt Gen Michael Flynn, who was fired after less than a month in the job for misleading the White House about his contacts with the Russian ambassador.