Trump reportedly offered the national security adviser position to Robert Harward, but Harward wants time to think it over

(Image credit: U.S. Department of Defense)

published 15 February 2017

With Michael Flynn out as national security adviser, President Donald Trump has reportedly asked retired Vice. Adm. Robert Harward to step in as the replacement. But Harward did not accept the offer immediately, Foreign Policy reports; instead, he asked for a few days to mull the offer over.

Flynn recommended Harward to Trump as his replacement. Harward also enjoys the friendship of Defense Secretary James Mattis, who is helping to select the next national security adviser; Harward served as a former deputy commander of the U.S. Central Command under Mattis. Harward is also Obama administration-approved, with the former spokesman for Obama's National Security Council describing him on Twitter as a "very impressive (and nice) guy."

If Harward accepts the job, he is "likely to bring in his own team, from deputy on down, with a focus on national security types with some experience under their belts," Foreign Policy writes.

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Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.