Former national security adviser Mike Flynn remains a lingering influence on President Donald Trump's White House despite his short time in the administration, Politico reports.
Trump, who continues to praise Flynn as a "wonderful man," fired his adviser in February after reports emerged of the retired general's undisclosed communications with Russia. Former deputy U.S. Attorney General Sally Yates testified before Congress Monday that she warned the White House of Flynn's contacts, and his vulnerability to blackmail, 18 days before his termination.
Anonymous sources "familiar with the situation" told Politico that Trump's chief strategist Steve Bannon and others "have worked to undermine his successor, Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster." Many of Flynn's staffers, including deputy K.T. McFarland, remain on the National Security Council, though McMaster had some reassigned after taking over.
Trump reportedly clashed with McMaster over replacing McFarland, who will likely become the ambassador to Singapore.
Politico also claims that White House chief of staff Reince Priebus stopped McMaster from replacing McFarland with his choice of deputy earlier this month, despite the fact that she is due to leave the NSC before the end of the month.
A senior administration official denied to Politico that McMaster was ousting Flynn hires, noting that over a dozen will stay on at the NSC, including the senior director for Asia Matt Pottinger.
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