Pence's NSA pick withdraws

US Vice President Mike Pence's pick for his National Security Adviser has withdrawn after his hiring created tensions in the administration, the media reported.

"Tonight Jon Lerner informed the Vice President that he was withdrawing from coming on board as National Security Adviser and the Vice President accepted his decision," CNN quoted Alyssa Farah, Pence's press secretary, as saying after the withdrawal on Sunday night.

"Vice President Pence holds Jon Lerner in the highest regard and expressed his deep gratitude for Jon's willingness to consider joining our team."

A Republican source told CNN that the news of Lerner's hiring by Pence had created "a big damn mess".

Earlier on Sunday, Axios news reported that President Donald Trump attempted to block Pence from hiring Lerner because of his "never Trump" views.

A White House official has confirmed that Trump and Pence talked about Lerner by phone on Friday.

Lerner currently serves as the deputy to UN ambassador Nikki Haley.

He had intended to continue working with Haley while advising Pence.

--IANS

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