Gen. McMaster’s blistering account of the Trump White House
Until now, Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster has held his fire about his stint in the Trump White House. McMaster served with distinction in key American conflicts of the past decades: the Gulf War, the Iraq War, and the Afghan War, but as McMaster recounts in his n
Lt. Gen. McMaster's White House Experience: A Candid Account of Dysfunction and Missed Opportunities
In his new book, "At War with Ourselves," Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster provides an unvarnished account of his tenure as the National Security Advisor to President Trump. The book offers a scathing critique of the Trump administration's foreign policy decisions, revealing a chaotic and dysfunctional environment characterized by sycophancy and a disregard for factual analysis.
McMaster, a highly decorated officer with a doctorate in history, served with distinction in several key American conflicts. However, he found his most challenging assignment to be his time in the White House. He describes meetings in the Oval Office as exercises in competitive flattery, where Trump's advisors sought to please the president with empty platitudes.
Trump's approach to foreign policy was often erratic and impulsive. He would make outlandish statements, such as suggesting bombing drug cartels in Mexico or taking out the entire North Korean army during a parade. McMaster's efforts to provide sound military advice were often met with resistance or outright hostility.
One particularly sensitive issue was Russia's interference in the 2016 US presidential election. Trump was unwilling to acknowledge Russia's role, despite overwhelming evidence. McMaster's insistence on the truth strained his relationship with the president and ultimately led to his dismissal.
McMaster also criticized Trump's handling of key foreign policy relationships. He denigrated American allies, embraced authoritarian rulers, and showed little interest in Afghanistan, despite McMaster's belief that there was a path forward.
Despite these criticisms, McMaster does acknowledge some positive aspects of Trump's foreign policy. He praises Trump's decision to launch airstrikes in Syria in response to chemical weapons use and his tough stance on China, which included calling out their intellectual property theft and military buildup.
The assault on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, marked a decisive break for McMaster from Trump. In his book, he strongly condemns Trump's actions and his failure to uphold his constitutional duty. McMaster believes that the attack has deeply damaged the United States' reputation globally and will require a long-term effort to restore the country's image.
McMaster's account raises serious concerns about the potential consequences of a second Trump term. He warns that Trump loyalists may replace career foreign service officers and intelligence officials, depriving the president of unvarnished assessments of national security challenges. Without dissenting voices, Trump would be more likely to make impulsive and ill-informed decisions that could have disastrous consequences for the United States and its allies.
In his new book, "At War with Ourselves," Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster provides an unvarnished account of his tenure as the National Security Advisor to President Trump. The book offers a scathing critique of the Trump administration's foreign policy decisions, revealing a chaotic and dysfunctional environment characterized by sycophancy and a disregard for factual analysis.
McMaster, a highly decorated officer with a doctorate in history, served with distinction in several key American conflicts. However, he found his most challenging assignment to be his time in the White House. He describes meetings in the Oval Office as exercises in competitive flattery, where Trump's advisors sought to please the president with empty platitudes.
Trump's approach to foreign policy was often erratic and impulsive. He would make outlandish statements, such as suggesting bombing drug cartels in Mexico or taking out the entire North Korean army during a parade. McMaster's efforts to provide sound military advice were often met with resistance or outright hostility.
One particularly sensitive issue was Russia's interference in the 2016 US presidential election. Trump was unwilling to acknowledge Russia's role, despite overwhelming evidence. McMaster's insistence on the truth strained his relationship with the president and ultimately led to his dismissal.
McMaster also criticized Trump's handling of key foreign policy relationships. He denigrated American allies, embraced authoritarian rulers, and showed little interest in Afghanistan, despite McMaster's belief that there was a path forward.
Despite these criticisms, McMaster does acknowledge some positive aspects of Trump's foreign policy. He praises Trump's decision to launch airstrikes in Syria in response to chemical weapons use and his tough stance on China, which included calling out their intellectual property theft and military buildup.
The assault on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, marked a decisive break for McMaster from Trump. In his book, he strongly condemns Trump's actions and his failure to uphold his constitutional duty. McMaster believes that the attack has deeply damaged the United States' reputation globally and will require a long-term effort to restore the country's image.
McMaster's account raises serious concerns about the potential consequences of a second Trump term. He warns that Trump loyalists may replace career foreign service officers and intelligence officials, depriving the president of unvarnished assessments of national security challenges. Without dissenting voices, Trump would be more likely to make impulsive and ill-informed decisions that could have disastrous consequences for the United States and its allies.