Dina Powell to be named Trump’s deputy national security adviser

Source: Politico | March 15, 2017 | Tara Palmeri and Ben White

President Donald Trump’s senior counselor for economic initiatives Dina Powell will be named deputy national security adviser for strategy, according to National Security Council and administration sources.

In her new role, Powell is expected to work closely with national security adviser H.R. McMaster and focus on long-term issues. She is also expected to help lead an inter-agency policy process working with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, CIA Director Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary James Mattis.

McMaster has developed a strong relationship with Powell and asked her to take on the role given her extensive inter-agency experience in the George W. Bush administration, one source said.

“General McMaster is placing a renewed focus on strategy development and implementation and is thrilled to have the talent, time and expertise of Dina Powell, a White and State Department veteran with extensive relationships in and outside of government to devote to this effort,” said NSC spokesman Michael Anton.

Powell will also continue to work with Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner on economic initiatives but the NSC role is expected to take up much of her time.

The role of K.T. McFarland, the current deputy national security adviser, has been in question since retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn was fired from the post of national security adviser amid controversy about his contacts with the Russian ambassador about sanctions. McFarland is a Fox News security pundit who previously worked as a public affairs official in Ronald Reagan’s Pentagon.

Many in the elite security council expected newly appointed McMaster to bring on his own deputy and move McFarland to another posting outside of the agency.

Anton noted that McFarland will remain the deputy national security adviser, meaning she will technically be above Powell on the council’s organizational chart.

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