Jon Lerner, Vice President Mike Pence's choice for his national security adviser, has decided against joining the his team, Axios reported.
President Donald Trump had attempted to block Lerner from being appointed because he did some anti-Trump work for the Club For Growth during the 2016 campaign, Axios reported earlier Sunday.
Lerner is serving as United Nations Secretary Nikki Haley's deputy, and sources familiar with the deliberations said Lerner did not want to be a "distraction."
"He's done incredible work with Nikki Haley and it's important to our country that his work continues," a source said in Axios' report.
Pence's press secretary Alyssa Farah said in a statement, according to Axios: "Tonight Jon informed the vice president that he was withdrawing from coming on board as national security adviser. Vice President Pence holds Jon Lerner in the highest regard and expressed his deep gratitude for Jon's willingness to consider joining our team,"
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