Nov 23, 2024 - Politics & Policy

Scoop: Biden and Trump national security advisers hold first meeting

Barak Ravid

Rep. Michael Waltz (R-Fla.) (left) and White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan. Photos: John Nacion/Getty Images (Waltz) and Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan met earlier this week with Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.), who President-elect Trump has appointed as his national security adviser, two sources with knowledge of the meeting said.

Why it matters: The first meeting between Sullivan and his successor, who will inherit a set of spiraling crises around the world, took place even though the Trump transition team hasn't signed a memorandum of understanding, allowing the transition process to begin.

Behind the scenes: The sources said the meeting took place after Sullivan returned from President Biden's trip to South America.

Sullivan and Waltz discussed several national security and foreign policy issues, including the war in Gaza and the issue of the hostages held by Hamas, the sources said.
Sullivan and Waltz declined to comment.

What they're saying: Sullivan said last week that he had interacted with Waltz in the past as a member of the House of Representatives.

"He and I obviously don't see eye to eye on every issue, but I am very much looking forward to engaging him over these next 60 days, as I said, so that we can have this smooth handoff," Sullivan said.

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Scoop: Biden and Trump national security advisers hold first meeting

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