National security adviser Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster reportedly needs Senate confirmation to remain a three-star general in his new post.
His job, like virtually all those in the West Wing of the White House, doesn't need Senate approval — but his decision to remain on active duty will require Senate approval, Politico reported.
"Gen. McMaster does not require Senate confirmation to serve as National Security Adviser," a Senate Armed Services Committee aide told Defense News in a statement.
"However, if it is the president's desire that Gen. McMaster serve as National Security Adviser while in his current grade of lieutenant general, the law requires that Gen. McMaster would have to be reappointed by the president and reconfirmed by the Senate in that grade for his new position."
McMaster would be asked to agree to testify in the future because of his rank, Arnold Punaro, a retired Marine general and former Senate Armed Services Committee staff director, told Defense News.
Such testimony could spotlight policy splits between the outspoken general and President Donald Trump, Defense News reported.
There are two scenarios in which McMaster would not need to seek Senate confirmation: He could choose to serve as a two-star major general or retire from the military and serve as a civilian.
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