Gorka row Bolton hits out at selection of far-right 'conman'

Donald Trump's selection of the far-right commentator Sebastian Gorka for a senior national security post has prompted outrage even amid a stream of controversial cabinet nominations including conspiracy theorists, alleged sex traffickers and repeaters of Russian state propaganda.

- Martin Pengelly

Last week, Trump appointed Gorka as deputy assistant to the president and senior director for counter-terrorism.

Unlike top national security picks - including Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence - the position is not subject to Senate confirmation.

Trump said Gorka was a "legal immigrant" with "more than 30 years of national security experience", including chairs and fellowships at major institutions. But John Bolton, Trump's third national security adviser in his first term, told CNN that Gorka was "a conman" who should not be "in any US government" and whose selection did not "bode well for counter-terrorism efforts".

Bolton's predecessor as national security adviser, the former army general HR McMaster, told CBS that Gorka was not a good pick and added: "I think that the president, others who are working with him, will probably determine that pretty quickly, soon after he gets into that job."