“The problem is the allegiance they have to their former administration and their position and stances on national security,” said Col. James Waurishuk (Ret.), a 30-year veteran senior intelligence official and a former NSC official. “It’s crazy when they represent pretty much 180 degrees of what Trump is trying to do.”

Some blame McMaster for the holdovers. “He has protected and coddled them,” alleged one former NSC staffer who requested anonymity.