Trump Names Hostage Envoy Robert O’Brien His Fourth National Security Advisor

September 18, 2019 By domani spero in Appointments, Mike Pompeo, Political Appointees, Special Envoys and Reps, State Department, Trends, Trump Tags: A$AP Rocky, National Security Advisor, NSC, Robert O'Brien, Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs

Also new from me @dlippman @caitlinoprysko: Trump appointed O'Brien as National Security Adviser despite his closeness with Bolton and after a “hard" lobbying campaign from Mike Pompeo. Jared was instrumental in pushing him, too. https://t.co/4a5hAf1jjn

— Natasha Bertrand (@NatashaBertrand) September 18, 2019

Our early take on Robert O'Brien. Very much not Bolton, Pompeo-approved, a traditional foreign policy hawk, a Mormon, who is entirely obsequious (or at least Trump thinks he is).https://t.co/jTVb8fMAEo

— Julian Borger (@julianborger) September 18, 2019

"Greatest hostage negotiator": In Robert O’Brien, Trump hires another top official with a history of pro-Trump hyperbole https://t.co/cdLPC4kave

— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) September 18, 2019

Thank you to the great team at @usembassyjlm for your support this week. I was honored to speak about @realDonaldTrump’s successful hostage recovery record & policies at the @ICT_org conference. pic.twitter.com/WIhjZyInZq

— U.S. Special Presidential Envoy O’Brien (@StateSPEHA) September 10, 2019

I have learned one thing so far about the new national security adviser, Robert O’Brien. He has correctly assessed President Trump’s desire for flattery.

— Susan Glasser (@sbg1) September 18, 2019

Robert O’Brien, the U.S. envoy for hostage affairs, met with Trump for the NSA post, and the president “likes the look of him,” says one official, a key condition for many Trump appointments. https://t.co/QRlR3DmsbC

— Capital Journal (@WSJPolitics) September 13, 2019

Trump liked that Robert O'Brien was effusive in his praise. Speaking to reporters on AF1 yesterday, Trump said: "Robert O'Brien said, 'Trump is the greatest hostage negotiator in history.' He happens to be right." He named him national security adviser a day later.

— Kevin Liptak (@Kevinliptakcnn) September 18, 2019

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

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