With the resignation of White House National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, three candidates have emerged to fill the key post, including the acting adviser, retired Lt. Gen. Joseph Keith Kellogg Jr.
President Trump promoted Mr. Kellogg temporarily Monday night after accepting Mr. Flynn’s resignation. Mr. Kellogg has been serving as chief of staff for the security council.
A senior administration official told Fox News that Vice Adm. Bob Harward is the leading contender to get the job. He is a Navy SEAL who served as deputy commander of the U.S. Central Command under Defense Secretary James N. Mattis, and also served on the National Security Council in the administration of President George W. Bush.
A third candidate being mentioned for the job is retired Gen. David Petraeus, the former director of the CIA who resigned after leaking classified documents to his mistress.
Mr. Kellogg is a decorated Army veteran who served on active duty from 1967 to 2003. He was chief operating officer of the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq after the ouster of Saddam Hussein in 2003.
Mr. Flynn resigned Monday after admitting he misled Vice President Mike Pence on the contents of phone calls that Mr. Flynn placed to the Russian ambassador, in which they allegedly discussed sanctions before Mr. Trump was inaugurated.
At the time Mr. Flynn was a private citizen, and such communications to conduct diplomacy are illegal.
“Unfortunately, because of the fast pace of events, I inadvertently briefed the vice president-elect and others with incomplete information regarding my phone calls with the Russian ambassador,” Mr. Flynn said.
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.
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