Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Named as National Security Advisor

John R. Bolton, the former United States Ambassador to the United Nations, has been named as the National Security Advisor, replacing Lieutenant General H.R. McMaster. The move follows other firings in the Trump White House, including the replacement of U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson with the Central Intelligence Agency Director Mike Pompeo.

When he was nominated for the U.N. position, Mr. Bolton had been considered so controversial and undiplomatic that the U.S. Senate refused to confirm him. He became the Ambassador to the United Nations only through a recess appointment by President George W. Bush. The recess appointment is a process that allows the President to appoint certain officials without Senate Confirmation when the Senate is in recess.

The position of National Security Advisor does not require Senate confirmation. 

(mew)