Trump taps Robert O'Brien for national security adviser
By Kathryn Watson
/ CBS News
President Trump has tapped Robert O'Brien to be his new national security adviser, replacing ousted former national security adviser John Bolton. O'Brien is currently the State Department's special presidential envoy for hostage affairs.
O'Brien had been among the top candidates for the position. Mr. Trump announced his pick in a tweet Wednesday morning.
"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!" the president tweeted from his fundraising trip in California.
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O'Brien's arrival comes moments after the president announced new, ambiguous sanctions on Iran, after drone attacks on a Saudi oil facility resulted in an upheaval of the world's oil supply chain.
The position of national security adviser doesn't require Senate confirmation.
O'Brien was responsible for helping with the A$AP Rocky case in Sweden, after the rapper was found guilty of assault but did not face prison time for it.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
First published on September 18, 2019 / 9:40 AM
© 2019 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Kathryn Watson
Kathryn Watson is a politics reporter for CBS News Digital.
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