REPORT: Trump’s Choice to Succeed Flynn Turned Down the Offer

President Trump had already chosen his replacement for Michael Flynn as National Security Advisor, but his pick reportedly declined the offer.

Trump had settled on Vice Admiral Robert Harward, a former U.S. Navy SEAL, for the position but according to the Financial Times, Harward turned down the president’s offer.

And CBS News independently confirmed the news:

CBS confirms that retired Vice Admiral Harward has turned down the President’s offer to become the new Nat Sec Advisor via @MajorCBS

— Alan He (@alanhe) February 16, 2017

Earlier today at his major press conference, Trump talked up how he had found an “outstanding” person for the position.

UPDATE –– 7:52 pm ET: CNN is now reporting on the same on Harward turning down the offer, providing more detail on why he made the decision:

A friend of Harward’s said he was reluctant to take the job because the White House seems so chaotic. Harward called the offer a “s*** sandwich,” the friend said…

A senior Republican familiar with the process said “a question of clarity regarding the lines of authority” was central in Harward’s decision.

“I wouldn’t call it a disagreement as much as questions that could not be resolved to his comfort level,” the Republican said.

[image via U.S. Navy]

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Follow Josh Feldman on Twitter: @feldmaniac

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