According to sources familiar with the discussion, the White House staff is preparing for the departure of national security adviser H.R. McMaster.<br />Sources indicated that the move was initiated by chief of staff John Kelly and Defense Secretary James Mattis.<br />According to officials, a leading candidate to replace McMaster is Stephen Biegun, an auto industry executive who served on the National Security Council staff under Condoleezza Rice.<br />Rice introduced Biegun to Mattis, and the Defense Secretary felt he would be a good fit for the role of national security adviser after a think tank event.<br />But a spokesman with Ford stated Biegun does not intend to leave the automaker, where he works as the VP international governmental affairs. <br />
