Among the contenders: the current acting national security adviser, retired Army Gen. Keith Kellogg.
Trump tweeted Friday morning that Kellogg, "who I have known for a
long time, is very much in play for NSA — as are three others."
General Keith Kellogg, who I
have known for a long time, is very much in play for NSA - as are three others.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February
17, 2017
The president didn't name the other three, but at least one candidate
being floated is former CIA Director David Petraeus, senior administration
officials told NBC News.
Trump in November tweeted that he was "very impressed" by
Petraeus after meeting with him. But the retired four-star general would be a
potentially explosive choice after a scandal in which he pleaded
guilty in 2015 to mishandling classified information.
Trump is in need of a new adviser after retired Army Lt. Gen. Michael
Flynn resigned
Monday over phone calls with Russia's ambassador to the United
States. Whomever he taps will be a key confidant on sensitive security issues.
Harward, a former Navy SEAL who was also on President George W. Bush's National Security Council, told The Associated Press that he turned down the position for "purely a personal reason."
If Trump does retain Kellogg as his national security adviser, he'll be picking someone with a long resume and military experience. The 72-year-old retired lieutenant general is an Army veteran who did two tours in Vietnam and earned numerous commendations, including the Bronze Star.
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