White House Homeland Security Aide Likely to Be Reassigned
Brown was one of Trump’s staunchest defenders after the president claimed that Hurricane Dorian might hit Alabama.
(Bloomberg) -- Rear Admiral Peter Brown, President Donald Trump’s third homeland security and counter-terrorism adviser, is expected to be reassigned after about six months in the job, said four people familiar with the issue.
It’s the latest turnover in an office that’s seen its responsibilities narrow.
Brown replaced Rear Admiral Doug Fears, who left in July, after being tapped by then-National Security Adviser John Bolton, who in turn departed the White House in September. Fears returned to the Coast Guard, where Brown had also served.
A National Security Council spokesman said on Sunday he could not comment on personnel matters but that Brown is a valued member of the team.
Brown played a prominent role during the 2019 hurricane season. He was one of Trump’s staunchest defenders after the president claimed that Hurricane Dorian might hit Alabama, despite National Weather Service statements to the contrary. Brown released a lengthy statement in September, supporting the president.
Thomas Bossert was Trump’s original homeland security adviser, serving from January 2017 to April 2018.
The scope of the White House homeland security adviser’s job seems to have narrowed, with counter-terrorism, cybersecurity and biodefense playing a less prominent role. It’s unknown whether there will be a homeland security adviser once Brown leaves, two of the people said.
The people said Brown is likely to take on a new role overseeing Puerto Rico’s recovery from hurricane damage and recent earthquakes.
To contact the reporter on this story: Jennifer Jacobs in Washington at jjacobs68@bloomberg.net
To contact the editors responsible for this story: Alex Wayne at awayne3@bloomberg.net, Steve Geimann
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