Gorka’s Ph.D. adviser: ‘I would not call him an expert’

The former Ph.D. adviser of White House assistant Sebastian Gorka said he would not consider him to be an expert in terrorism, despite Gorka often discussing the administration’s policies and stances on terrorism publicly. 

“I would not call him an expert on terrorism,” Stephen Sloan, a retired University of Oklahoma professor who advised Gorka during his doctoral program, told CNN in an interview.

Sloan added that, while Gorka is “knowledgeable” on a variety of subjects, “his level of expertise does not match the level where he stands in the White House.”

{mosads}Gorka, author of “Defeating Jihad: The Winnable War,” is often seen on television sparring with journalists on a variety of issues including terrorism, which has become a major topic on the administration’s agenda. 

Gorka recently issued a very public warning to North Korea on television, saying the country should not test the president. 

“We are not just a superpower. We were a superpower. We are now a hyperpower. Nobody in the world, especially not North Korea, comes close to challenging our military capabilities,” Gorka told Fox News earlier this month while discussing escalating tensions with North Korea.

“Whether they’re conventional, whether they’re nuclear or whether they’re special forces. So the message is very clear. Don’t test this White House, Pyongyang,” he continued. 

Sloan told CNN Gorka “does a very good job being the bulldog,” however he said he has “some discomfort” with him in an adviser’s role. 

Sloan’s comments come after Stephen Bannon, whom Gorka reported to, departed the White House on Friday. 

Gorka previously worked at as the national security editor at Breitbart, where Bannon returned to work after his departure.