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Meet H.R. McMaster, Trump's new national security adviser

Susan Walsh / AP

Trump has appointed General H.R. McMaster as his new national security adviser. The H.R. stands for Herbert Raymond, but the West Point grad with a PhD in American history just goes by H.R.

McMaster served with Secretary of Defense James Mattis in Iraq, and is now a three star General. He'll remain in the military while serving as Trump's national security adviser.

He wrote a popular book on the Vietnam War — Dereliction of Duty — which blamed the then-Joint Chiefs of Staff for not standing up to President Johnson and preventing the war. McMaster is known for being outspoken, and was listed as one of the 100 most influential people by Time Magazine in 2014.

How he differs from Trump: Compared to predecessor Michael Flynn, McMaster is much more moderate on his stance toward Islam, being careful to separate the religion from extremist groups. He also considers Russia a growing threat, according to Politico, and has focused on how to fight their tactics.

Go deeper

Alayna Treene, author of Sneak Peek
2 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Kellyanne Conway's parting power pointers

Kellyanne Conway addresses the 2020 Republican National Convention. Photo: Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images

Kellyanne Conway has seen power exercised as a pollster, campaign manager and senior counselor to President Trump. Now that his term in office has concluded, she shared her thoughts with Axios.

Why it matters: If there's a currency in this town, it's power, so we've asked several former Washington power brokers to share their best advice as a new administration and new Congress settle in.

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow
Alayna Treene, author of Sneak Peek
3 hours ago - Politics & Policy

GOP holdouts press on with plans to crush Cheney

Screenshot of emails to a member of Congress from individuals who signed an Americans for Limited Government petition against Rep. Liz Cheney. Photo obtained by Axios

Pro-Trump holdouts in the House are forging ahead with an uphill campaign to oust Rep. Liz Cheney as head of the chamber's Republican caucus even though Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy told them to back down.

Why it matters: What happens next will be a test of McCarthy's party control and the sincerity of his opposition to the movement. Cheney (R-Wyo.) is seen as a potential leadership rival to the California Republican.

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow
Lachlan Markay
3 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Democrats aim to punish House GOP for Capitol riot

Speaker Nancy Pelosi passes through a newly installed metal detector at the House floor entrance Thursday. Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images

House Democrats plan to take advantage of corporate efforts to cut funding for Republicans who opposed certifying the 2020 election results, with a plan to target vulnerable members in the pivotal 2022 midterms for their role in the Jan. 6 violence.

Why it matters: It's unclear whether the Democrats' strategy will manifest itself in ads or earned media in the targeted races or just be a stunt to raise money for themselves. But the Capitol violence will be central to the party's messaging as it seeks to maintain its narrow majorities in Congress.

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow