Trump to interview four candidates for national security adviser

President Trump on Sunday will interview four candidates to replace recently resigned national security adviser Michael Flynn, White House press secretary Sean Spicer said Saturday.

The president is at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida this weekend, where he’s expected to speak with several current and former U.S. officials about the top national security aide post, according to a pool report.

On the list of candidates is Army strategist Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster, former United Nations ambassador John Bolton, acting national security adviser Keith Kellogg and West Point superintendent Lt. Col. Robert Caslen, Spicer told reporters.

The spokesman indicated that Trump may interview others, as well.

{mosads}Bolton, a foreign policy hawk and former State Department arms control official, has won the backing of Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), who called him “someone who understands the world.” He’s also a rumored pick for deputy secretary of State.

Other lawmakers, however, such as Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) have staunchly opposed the idea of Bolton joining the Trump administration, because of his aggressive stances on foreign and military policy.

Nevertheless, Bolton is not yet a lock for the national security adviser job. Trump on Friday tweeted that Kellogg, as well as three other candidates, are “very much in play.”

General Keith Kellogg, who I have known for a long time, is very much in play for NSA – as are three others.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 17, 2017

It wasn’t clear if all the interviews would be conducted in person or if some candidates would interview on the phone.

The interviews follow a series of shake ups on Trump’s National Security Council.

Flynn resigned from his post on Monday amid revelations that he discussed sanctions with the Russian ambassador to the U.S. and mislead Vice President Pence about the conversations.

Trump’s first choice to replace Flynn, Vice Adm. Robert Harward, turned down the job this week, citing professional and family commitments that he said would not allow him to accept the president’s offer.

Another top NSC aide, Craig Deare, was dismissed on Friday for allegedly criticizing the president and his administration at an event hosted by a Washington-based think tank.