Deputy national security adviser to leave White House

Washington: Deputy National Security Adviser Dina Powell will be leaving the Trump administration early next year.

White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders says in a statement that Powell had always planned to serve for a year before returning home to New York.

She’s expected to continue working with the administration on Middle East policy issues from outside the White House.

National Security Adviser H R McMaster says in a statement that Powell “has been an invaluable member of President Trump’s team” who “drove an effort to restore our nation’s strategic competence.”

He says: “All of us look forward to continuing to work with her, as she continues to support this Administration’s efforts on Middle East peace and other issues.