K.T. McFarland withdrew herself from consideration to be the U.S. ambassador to Singapore, a step for which President Trump blamed Democrats who “chose to play politics rather than move forward with a qualified nominee,” Politico reports.
K.T. McFarland
Emails Contradict McFarland’s Testimony
Former deputy national security adviser K.T. McFarland “told lawmakers that she did not discuss or know anything about interactions between Sergey Kislyak, who had been Moscow’s ambassador to the United States,” and Michael Flynn, the New York Times reports.
“But emails… appear to undermine those statements. In a Dec. 29 message about newly imposed Obama administration sanctions against Russia for its election interference, Ms. McFarland, then serving on Mr. Trump’s transition team, told another transition official that Mr. Flynn would be talking to the Russian ambassador that evening.”
McFarland Ousted from National Security Council
“K.T. McFarland has been asked to step down as deputy National Security Advisor to President Donald Trump after less than three months and will become U.S. ambassador to Singapore,” Bloomberg reports.
“The departure of the 65-year-old former Fox News commentator comes as Trump’s second National Security Advisor, Lt General H.R. McMaster, puts his own stamp on the National Security Council after taking over in February following the firing of Michael Flynn.”
Deputy National Security Aide Raises Questions
Politico: “K.T. McFarland’s theatrical performance might have been lighthearted, but its breezy and simplistic tone underscores why national security experts in both parties worry she is unqualified for what national security veterans say is among the hardest—and most important—jobs at the White House. McFarland, whose initials stand for Kathleen Troia, has not worked in government since the mid 1980s. For the past several years, her main occupation has been as a national security analyst for Fox News.”
“Her appointment, announced in late November, has fueled concerns that Trump is not taking seriously enough the need for a top-flight foreign policy team at a moment of high global instability.”