Trump s National Security spokesman to leave White House

Washington April 9 (IANS) National Security Council (NSC) spokesman Michael Anton is planning to depart US President Donald Trump s administration White House press secretary Sarah Sanders has announced.

"Michael is one of the smartest and most talented individuals I ve ever worked with -- not to mention an amazing chef " Sanders said Sunday.

"He has been more than a colleague he is a true friend. Every day I got to work with Michael was a good day and he will be greatly missed."

Anton s departure comes amid a series of changes at the National Security Council including former US Ambassador to the UN John Bolton taking the helm on Monday after H.R. McMaster stepped down as Trump s top National Security Adviser (NSA) reports CNN.

Anton was brought into the NSC by Michael Flynn Trump s first NSA who plead guilty to lying to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) last year.

Trump called Anton on Sunday and thanked him for his service a White House official said.

"He said he is a great guy and we will all miss him " the official added.

According to sources Anton was well liked by his White House colleagues and known as the rare conservative intellectual that joined Trump s administration reports CNN

Months before the 2016 election Anton -- reportedly writing under the name Publius Decius Mus -- wrote "The Flight 93 Election" an article that praised Trump s campaign and argued that a Clinton presidency "is Russian Roulette with a semi-auto".

"With Trump " he wrote "at least you can spin the cylinder and take your chances."

--IANS
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