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Kredo: McMaster Will Not Carry Out a 'Witch Hunt' in National Security Staff

March 2, 2017

Washington Free Beacon senior writer Adam Kredo joined Liz Wheeler of One America News Network on Monday night where they discussed White House National Security Adviser Lt. Gen. H. R. McMaster's first staff meeting and vision.

Wheeler said many people anticipated that McMaster would come in and purge the staff of former White House National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, who was asked to resign in February. Kredo agreed with her assessment, but highlighted that McMaster assured his staff that he would not be cleaning house.

"In fact he told them very clearly during this first all-hands meeting, as you mentioned, that that's not his goal. He's not out to carry out a witch hunt here," Kredo said. "I don't think that that's productive for anybody, and especially will not help the Trump administration carry out the national security vision of the president if they're too busy getting rid of staff and bringing new people this late into the first term."

Later, Wheeler praised McMaster for a reading list he gave to his staff so they would understand the philosophy that he will be using to lead the National Security Council. One of the books is by President Donald Trump, Kredo noted.

"One of the sources I spoke to said that [McMaster] focused particularly on chapter two of Trump's book, and that is about not entangling yourself in kind of this effort to get credit, but letting the work speak for itself," Kredo said.

"I think that's very different from the Obama NSC, which was really about boosting personalities, whereas Trump does not want to see that, and McMaster does not want to see that," he continued.

Kredo said the reading emphasizes longterm thinking that breaks away from the Obama administration. He pointed out the importance of looking back in history, and not making the same mistakes as Trump's predecessor.

Wheeler said one of her favorite books on list was Zachary Shore's Blunder: Why Smart People Make Bad Decisions, because it remarks on the importance of being careful, doing the right thing, and not letting power corrupt you. Kredo said one of his sources was reassured by this book being on the list, as it breaks away from the Obama administration train of thought.

"This source said, 'I actually found that very reassuring,' because again, it seemed like a break from the Obama Administration that in some ways in respects felt itself untouchable and could do no wrong in the world," Kredo said. "In fact, McMaster is somebody who realizes that, well we do make mistakes and lets try our best not to. I find that very clever."