Rep. Steve Russell (R-Okla.) described John Bolton, President Trump’s new national security adviser, as a pick who is either respected or polarizing among lawmakers.
“Ambassador Bolton certainly has a lot of respect in some circles and he’s polarizing in others,” Russell said in an interview with The Hill.
Russell added that he personally “likes” Bolton, who he called “a tremendous brain.”
Russell, a former lieutenant colonel who served in the Army with outgoing national security adviser H.R. McMaster, describes McMaster as a “very honorable and fantastic person.”
“It ultimately comes down to who can the president work with and feel that he is getting the things that he needs to help the United States to be secure,” Russell said.
Russell’s comments come after Trump abruptly announced on Thursday that Bolton would replace McMaster.
Click the video above to hear Russell in his own words.