General McMaster's Critique of Trump White House: A Story of Sycophancy and Strongmen

Lieutenant General HR McMaster a highly respected military man served as National Security adviser to president Trump from February 2017 until he was dismissed in April 2018 in his new book at war with ourselves my Tour of Duty in the Trump White House McMaster offers an insightful and often critical account of his tenure ultimately McMaster never aimed to be political focusing solely on what he believed was best for the country his book seeks to transcend partisanship and provide an honest recounting of his experiences in a uniquely turbulent Administration McMaster who has been through numerous American conflicts such as the Gulf War Iraq war and Afghan war found his White House experience uniquely challenging he describes Oval Office meetings under Trump as exercises in competitive psychopy advisers flattered Trump saying things like your instincts are always right while Trump would propose contr iial ideas such as bombing Mexican drug cartels or attacking North Korea's army during a parade despite being warned Trump was repeatedly drawn to Vladimir Putin's flattery according to McMaster Trump sought to improve relations with Russia while downplaying the serious issue of Russian meddling in the 2016 election Trump viewed discussions about Russia as personal attacks on the legitimacy of his presidency Putin heaped Praise on Trump played to his ego and insec Securities and sought to exploit this for Russia's gain McMaster recalled a significant point of contention was Trump's reaction to a poisoning incident by Russian agents in the UK while other Western leaders were formulating a response Trump was infatuated by a newspaper article praising him even asking McMaster to send a copy to Putin McMaster later stopped the note from being sent when it became clear it could be used to undermine the US response McMaster recounts several tense episodes including a meeting before a NATO Summit where Trump inserted if countries don't pay their dues were not going to defend them into his speech McMaster along with Secretary of Defense James Mattis and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson managed to talk Trump out of this position at the last minute one of the most defining moments was mcmaster's public comment in 2018 that Russia's election interference was incontrovertible a statement that greatly annoyed Trump and led to mcmaster's eventual ousting Trump preferred advisers who would Echo his views and avoid challenging him as noted by mcmaster's Reflections on Trump's dismissal of advice from Top National Security officials despite all the friction McMaster credits Trump with decisive actions in some areas when the Syrian dictator used chemical weapons Trump ordered air strikes contrasting with Obama's inaction additionally Trump's tougher stance on China CH received mcmaster's approval as he saw it as necessary to counter China's aggressive policies mcmaster's book also touches on Trump's affinity for authoritarian leaders Trump saw in them qualities he wanted others to see in him McMaster stated particularly noting Trump's rapport with Putin this admiration for strong men often put Trump at odds with his security team who saw these leaders as threats to American interests as the nation contemplates another potential Trump presidency mcmaster's account serves as a cautionary tale his experience suggests that a second term could see Trump surrounded by yes-men lacking the critical voices necessary for balanced decision-making the heritage foundation's project 2025 aims to replace career officials with Trump loyalists A Move That Could exacerbate this tendency