White House homeland security adviser Tom Bossert has resigned and is leaving the Trump administration just one day after John Bolton began his job as national security adviser.
Bossert’s exit, following on the heels of National Security Council spokesman Michael Anton’s departure Monday, seemed to indicate that Bolton is cleaning house as sources revealed that Bossert’s resignation was requested by Bolton, The Washington Post reported.
“Bolton is in a position right now of figuring out, ‘how do I stop the leaks if I’m using the same people?’ It’s not that he wants to clean house,” but does need to bring in his own people, a former U.S. official who worked closely with Bolton told The Daily Caller.
Bolton is Trump’s third national security adviser, replacing H.R. McMaster, who replaced Michael Flynn.
WHITE HOUSE STATEMENT on Bossert resigning:
“The president is grateful for Tom’s commitment to the safety and security of our great country.”
Says Bossert led the WH’s efforts on terrorist threats, cyber defenses, an unprecedented series of natural disasters.
— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) April 10, 2018
NEWS: Bossert is essentially being fired.
He is resigning at the request of new National Security Adviser John Bolton, I’m told.
— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) April 10, 2018
Bolton reportedly asked for Bossert’s resignation on Tuesday but White House press secretary Sarah Sanders did not elaborate on that detail.
“I’m not going to get into specific details about the ongoings of personnel. But I can tell you that he resigned,” she told reporters Tuesday. “The president feels he’s done a great job and wishes him the best as he moves forward.”
There was some contention in the White House over Bossert’s handling of alleged Russian interference in the U.S. election and the outgoing official, who also served in the George W. Bush administration, frequently clashed with former national security adviser H.R. McMaster.
According to The Washington Post:
Beyond Russia, there was widespread frustration in the White House that Bossert’s office had failed to produce formal strategies to deal with counterterrorism and cyberactivities. Bossert also suffered from a confusing chain of command inside the White House. He insisted that he reported directly to the president and not to the national security adviser, which became a major source of frustration for McMaster. His sudden forced resignation suggests Bolton may be intent on ensuring that Bossert’s replacement on cyber and counterterrorism strategy reports directly to him.
Bolton is reportedly considering merging the NSC and Homeland Security Council within the White House, a national security source told Fox News. Though they currently share staff, the NSC and HSC conduct their own meetings and handle their own policy issues.
Bossert, who served as a deputy homeland security adviser to Bush, has also held positions in the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Small Business Administration, the Office of the Independent Counsel, and the House of Representatives.
“The President is grateful for Tom’s commitment to the safety and security of our great country,” White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement, according to Fox News. “Tom led the White House’s efforts to protect the homeland from terrorist threats, strengthen our cyber defenses, and respond to an unprecedented series of natural disasters. President Trump thanks him for his patriotic service and wishes him well.”
Via BizPAC
