Trump appoints Bolton as new national security adviser

Donald Trump, US President, has appointed John Bolton as his national security adviser after accepting the resignation of HR McMaster.

In a tweet on Thursday, Trump said the appointment would take effect on April 9.

“I am pleased to announce that, effective 4/9/18, @AmbJohnBolton will be my new National Security Advisor,” the US president tweeted.

“I am very thankful for the service of General H.R. McMaster who has done an outstanding job & will always remain my friend. There will be an official contact handover on 4/9.”

I am pleased to announce that, effective 4/9/18, @AmbJohnBolton will be my new National Security Advisor. I am very thankful for the service of General H.R. McMaster who has done an outstanding job & will always remain my friend. There will be an official contact handover on 4/9.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 22, 2018

McMaster will soon retire from the military where he leads senior commands in Iraq and Afghanistan.

According to New York Times, the outgoing security adviser had discussed his departure with the US president for weeks but decided to speed it up “because questions about his status were casting a shadow over his exchanges with foreign officials”.

Bolton served in the administration of George W Bush. He is known for calling for military action against Iran and North Korea.

Before his appointment, he met regularly with Trump to discuss foreign policy.