Trump counters criticism of his national security adviser

BRIDGEWATER, N.J. (AP) — President Donald Trump has issued a defense of his national security adviser H.R. McMaster against criticism he's not supportive enough of Israel and is stifling conservative viewpoints.

McMaster, an Army lieutenant general, came under attack after the recent firing of White House intelligence adviser Ezra Cohen-Watnick, who was a protege of Trump's first national security adviser, Michael Flynn.

In a recent Situation Room meeting, the president — who is frustrated by his options in Afghanistan — raised the idea of firing the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan and replacing him with McMaster, according to officials with knowledge of the discussion.