U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that he has selected Robert O’Brien as the next U.S. national security advisor, replacing John Bolton, who was ousted on Sept. 10.
“I am pleased to announce that I will name Robert C. O’Brien, currently serving as the very successful Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs at the State Department, as our new National Security Advisor. I have worked long & hard with Robert. He will do a great job!” Trump tweeted.
I am pleased to announce that I will name Robert C. O’Brien, currently serving as the very successful Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs at the State Department, as our new National Security Advisor. I have worked long & hard with Robert. He will do a great job!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 18, 2019
O’Brien, who previously served as the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, is Trump’s fourth national security advisor.
O’Brien takes over for Bolton amid threats against the United States from Iran, Russia, North Korea and China, as the United States also grapples with global Islamic terrorism.
The appointment, which doesn’t require Senate confirmation, came as America weighs how to respond to Iran striking two Saudi Aramco oil facilities on Sept. 14.
O’Brien served under U.S. President George W. Bush as a U.S. alternate delegate to the United Nations in 2005, in which he emphasized the U.S. commitment towards solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Bolton was then the U.S. ambassador to the world body.
