CBS NEWS

President Trump has offered the job of National Security Adviser to Vice Admiral Robert Harward, sources close to the situation told CBS News’ Major Garrett.

Harward, a 60-year-old former Navy SEAL, served as deputy commander of U.S. Central Command under now-Defense Secretary James Mattis. He previously served as deputy commanding general for operations of Joint Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg in North Carolina.

Harward has also commanded troops in both Iraq and Afghanistan for six years after the 9/11 attacks. Under President George W. Bush, he served on the National Security Council as director of strategy and policy for the office of combating terrorism.

He has not yet accepted Mr. Trump’s offer, and negotiations continue over the National Security Council staff Harward would be empowered to build.

 

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Was deputy commander CENTCOM when Mattis was there.

A very good man. Not optimal… that would have been Stavridis (who is a Russianist). Harward is a special warfare guy with Southwest Asia emphasis… which is not what we need right now. But, things can change when the heat turns up. Qualities: Fearless. Strong intellect. Knows how to give advice quickly and emphasizing all the key issues. Doesn’t take political crap off of the peripherals. Knows how to build consensus. Fights like a sonuvabitch.

He knows how to take orders. He’s Mattis’ guy (close relationship, forged at CENTCOM). And Mattis has the president’s ear right now… which is a very, very good thing. Trump can only benefit.