President Donald Trump announced Monday he will nominate former Jeb Bush foreign policy adviser Robert Story Karem for the position of assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs.
Karem comes from a strong background in the Republican establishment, having served as a foreign policy adviser for Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush during his campaign, starting in April 2015, Defense News reports.
Prior to his time with Bush, Karem worked as a national security adviser to House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy and also before that to former House Majority Leader Eric Cantor.
He’s also spent some time at the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank.
This announcement signals the continuation of a trend in the Trump administration to select individuals for key positions from inside the GOP establishment, as opposed to drawing in talent from outsiders.
Additionally, as Defense News reports, Trump’s pick of Karem earned praise from Derek Chollet, who served in Karem’s position during the Obama administration from 2012-2015.
“Not often I say this, but terrific news from Trump Admin: Robert Karem nomn’d for Asst SecDef ISA,” Chollet tweeted. “He’s smart, savvy, & skilled. Great pick!
Trump also announced in the same White House press release that he intends to nominate Kari Bingen for the position of principal deputy under secretary of defense for intelligence. She currently serves as the policy director for the House Committee on Armed Services.
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