Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Thursday that H.R. McMaster should stay on as President Trump’s national security adviser following reports the White House was preparing to oust him from the role.
“H.R. McMaster is one of the best generals of his generation. He’s doing a really fine job as national security adviser. I have no idea about his future in that job. I hope he stays, he’s really good,” Rice, who also served as national security adviser, told MSNBC.
.@CondoleezzaRice says she hopes H.R. McMaster stays in his role as national security adviser.
“He’s doing a really fine job as national security adviser … I hope he stays, he’s really good.” — @DeadlineWH pic.twitter.com/AOvwzkIStJ
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) March 1, 2018
Despite the turbulence of the Trump White House, Rice, who served as the nation’s top diplomat under former President George W. Bush, said she would encourage anyone approached to possibly replace McMaster to consider the opportunity.
She hailed Stephen Biegun, reportedly a potential candidate, as an “outstanding person” and foreign policy expert.
“But let’s wait and see because H.R. McMaster’s still in the job,” Rice added.
Earlier Thursday, NBC News reported White House chief of staff John Kelly and Defense Secretary James Mattis were discussing ways to provide McMaster with “a graceful landing, either another three-star job in the Army or even a promotion to a four-star general.”
McMaster was head of the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command in 2012 before joining the administration.
