Gen. H.R. McMaster on Working for Trump, Being Non-Partisan | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

A lieutenant general details his unexpected journey to becoming a national security advisor to the president.

Key Insights

• 🥺 Unexpected opportunities can lead to significant career shifts, as seen in the general's rapid transition from military duties to national security advisor.
• 🥅 Maintaining non-partisanship in political roles can be challenging but essential to focusing on common goals in foreign policy.
• 🦻 Historical knowledge aids in framing complex security challenges and crafting effective policies to address threats like Chinese aggression, Russian intimidation, and North Korean nuclear capabilities.
• ✋ Swift decision-making and adaptation are crucial in high-stakes roles such as national security advisor, as demonstrated by the general's quick interviews and immediate responsibilities.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: How did the lieutenant general's unexpected journey to becoming a national security advisor unfold?

The general received a surprise call on his way to a think tank briefing, leading to a swift transition from his military role to national security advisor with Trump.

Q: How did the general approach bipartisan foreign policy despite political associations with Trump?

The general believed in focusing on shared goals in foreign policy, such as nuclear non-proliferation and countering aggression, regardless of political affiliations.

Q: Could the general maintain his non-partisan stance while serving as national security advisor?

He strived to fulfill his oath to serve and defend the constitution, supporting Trump's decisions while emphasizing sensible implementation across partisan lines.

Q: What historical perspective did the general bring to his role?

Drawing from historical lessons, he framed national security challenges methodically and sought to avoid past policy-making pitfalls, ensuring a strategic approach to current threats.

Summary

In this video, the guest, a former national security advisor, discusses how he got appointed to the position and his approach to non-partisanship in foreign policy. He also talks about his experience working with Donald Trump and the importance of framing security challenges.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did you become a national security advisor?

It was unexpected. I was walking down the street when I received a call from the White House requesting an interview for the job. I interviewed on a Sunday and was hired on Monday. It was a quick process, but I had the opportunity to study history, which prepared me for the role.

Q: Did you interview at Mar-a-Lago?

Yes, after the first interview, I stayed there for the rest of the day. I didn't know how to get food, so I ate what was available, even the pistachio nuts from the military aids' office. I didn't want to miss any chances for a meal.

Q: How did you approach framing security challenges?

I identified the top 16 challenges to our security and prosperity in the world. Then, we organized a meeting called a principal small group framing session, where the president's cabinet and heads of the intelligence community came together to approve how we described the problems associated with various threats.

Q: How did you maintain non-partisanship in your role?

I believe staying on active duty and not voting allowed me to concentrate on the goals and objectives of the military without associating myself politically. I think foreign policy should be an area where we can find common ground, focusing on shared interests, like preventing nuclear weapons and countering aggression, regardless of partisan politics.

Q: What was it like to work with Donald Trump?

It didn't matter who the commander-in-chief was for me. I took an oath to support and defend the constitution, and I served under five different presidents. My role was to help Trump determine his agenda and ensure the sensible implementation of his decisions.

Takeaways

The former national security advisor emphasizes the importance of non-partisanship in foreign policy and finding areas of agreement. He believes that challenges like preventing nuclear weapons and countering aggression should be approached across partisan lines. He also highlights the role of framing security challenges and the need for thoughtful decision-making and policy-making processes.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• An active duty lieutenant general gets a surprise call from the White House to interview for the role of national security advisor.

• After quick interviews, he transitions from a think tank briefing on warfare to orchestrating national security decisions.

• Despite staying non-partisan, his appointment under Trump prompts association with political repercussions and the challenges of bipartisan foreign policy.