Trump-s-choice-replace-fired-Mike-Flynn-TURNS-DOWN

Robert Harward was Donald Trump's pick to succeed Mike Flynn

Harward is conflicted between the call of duty and the obvious dysfunctionality'
Said to be concerned about reports Flynn's deputies were told they could stay

The man President Donald Trump has chosen to be his national security adviser isn't eager to accept the offer.
Robert Harward, a retired U.S. Navy vice admiral and a long-time special forces veteran, is Trump's pick to succeed retired Army Gen. Mike Flynn, whom he fired on Monday.

But Financial Times reported Thursday afternoon that Harward has said no.

Citing two unnamed sources, the newspaper published a story describing Trump in crisis mode, trying to persuade Harward to take over a National Security Council left in limbo with Flynn's unexpected departure.

The president said during a Thursday afternoon press conference that the existence of an 'outstanding' candidate to replace Flynn had made it easier to see him go.

That candidate, it seems, wasn't consulted.
'Harward is conflicted between the call of duty and the obvious dysfunctionality,' said one of FT's well placed sources about the George W. Bush-era National Security Council veteran who is now a Lockheed Martin executive.

Another told the newspaper that Trump has asked Harward to come back to the White House for another meeting – so he can persuade him to say yes.

Harward is reportedly concerned about reports that many of Flynn's deputies have been told they will keep their jobs despite the disgraced general's departure.

National security advisers typically are permitted to pick their own teams.

Trump bristled on Thursday at the idea that his administration hasn't yet found its stride. It's 'running like a fine-tuned machine,' he claimed, 'despite the fact that I cannot get my cabinet approved.

I turn on the TV, open the newspapers – and I see stories of chaos, chaos,' Trump complained in his first solo press conference since taking over the Oval Office. 'Yet it is the exact opposite.

Flynn resigned on Monday after revelations that he had discussed U.S. sanctions on Russia with the Russian ambassador to the United States before Trump took office.

Losing his national security adviser so soon after taking office was an embarrassment for the new Republican president, who has made national security a top priority.