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Robert Harward
| Robert Harward | |
 | |
| Basic facts | |
| Organization: | United States Navy |
| Role: | Retired Vice Admiral |
| Education: | United States Naval Academy, 1979 |
| Prior Experience | |
| United States Navy, 1975-2013 | |
Robert S. Harward, a retired vice admiral and former Navy SEAL, was offered the position of national security advisor by President Donald Trump on February 15, 2017, according to two U.S. officials. The following day, he turned down the offer. According to White House officials, Harward declined the job because the Trump administration would not allow him to replace members of the National Security Council with his own staff. A reduction in income was also cited as a reason for declining the position. Harward said in a statement, “Since retiring [from the military], I have the opportunity to address financial and family issues that would have been challenging in this position. Like all service members understand, and live, this job requires 24 hours a day, seven days a week focus and commitment to do it right.”[1][2]
Harward was offered the position after retired Lieutenant General Michael Flynn resigned amid reports that he did not provide Vice President Mike Pence with accurate information about a conversation that he had with a Russian ambassador concerning sanctions against the country. General Joseph Keith Kellogg took over as acting national security advisor after Flynn resigned.[1][3][4]
Harward served as deputy commander of U.S. Central Command under General James Mattis, the Trump administration's secretary of state.[5][3]
The national security advisor is responsible for overseeing the National Security Council staff, chairing the National Security Principals Committee, providing the president with the daily national security briefing, and coordinating the administration’s foreign policy, intelligence, and military efforts.
Career
Below is an abbreviated outline of Harward's academic, professional, and political career:[5][3]
- 2014 - Present: Chief Executive Officer for Lockheed Martin United Arab Emirates
- 1975-2013: Served in the United States Navy
- 2011-2013: Deputy Commander of U.S. Central Command
- 1979: Graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy
- 1974: Graduated from Tehran American High School in Iran
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Reuters, "Trump offers national security adviser post to Vice Admiral Harward: sources," accessed February 16, 2017
- ↑ The Wall Street Journal, "Bob Harward Turns Down National Security Adviser Job," accessed February 17, 2017
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 ABC News, "Robert Harward: Everything you need to know about possible national security adviser," accessed February 16, 2017
- ↑ The Hill, "National Security Adviser Michael Flynn resigns," accessed February 13, 2017
