National security adviser Mike Flynn resigned late on Monday when it became apparent he not only held diplomatic discussions with a Russian ambassador before President Trump was sworn into office, but also misled senior United States officials about the nature of those conversations. The White House is now considering Vice Adm. Robert Harward and Gen. David Petraeus as the leading candidates to replace Flynn, according to multiple outlets.

Let us hope these reports prove to be unfounded, as either Harward or Petraeus would bring their own clouds of controversy into the position even before the Flynn fiasco has fully cleared the air.