Donald Trump to name Egyptian-American Dina Powell as deputy national security adviser – Former Goldman Sachs partner Powell is already his economic adviser.
Goldman Sachs Foundation, and global head of corporate engagement, Dina Powell attends the CEO Roundtable on the sidelines of the 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 20, 2016 in New York. (AFP – Jim Watson)
President Donald Trump's senior counsellor for economic initiatives, Dina Powell, will be named deputy national security adviser for strategy, a senior Trump administration official said on Wednesday.
Powell, who worked in the administration of President George W. Bush, will also continue to work with Trump's daughter Ivanka Trump and son-in-law Jared Kushner on economic initiatives, Politico reported earlier.
Powell will also work with national security adviser HR McMaster. According to a report in Politico, she is also expected to help lead an interagency policy process working with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, CIA Director Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary James Mattis.
After retired Let.Gen. Michael Flynn was fired from his post amid controversy surrounding his contacts with Russian ambassador, current deputy national security adviser KT McFarland too has been in questions.
McMaster replaced Flynn and is now expected to bring on his own deputy to replace McFarland.
Powell is an Arabic speaker. She was part of Donald Trump's party at the luncheon with Saudi Arabia's deputy crown prince when he visited the United States last week.
Powell was a partner at Goldman Sachs before joining Trump administration. She was also a director of personnel during Bush administration.
(With Reuters inputs)