National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan has expressed his surprise at finding common ground with incoming National Security Adviser Mike Waltz. Speaking with political scientist Ian Bremmer, Sullivan acknowledged that the two men share “more alignment” on many key issues, particularly on the need for continuity during the presidential transition period. According to Sullivan, the incoming and outgoing administrations agree on the importance of a smooth handoff, as well as the need to avoid any national security risks that may arise during the transition.
Despite these agreements, Sullivan recognized that the two administrations will not always see eye-to-eye on everything. Both he and Waltz have acknowledged that the upcoming presidential transition period could put national security at risk, and therefore they are working together more closely than usual to ensure a clear and unified message to friends and adversaries.
The two men first spoke after Waltz was named as Trump’s pick for National Security Adviser, and in an interview with Fox News, Waltz praised the current administration and Trump’s transition team, stating that they were working together as one team. However, Sullivan predicted that there will still be opportunities for disagreement in the coming years as the new administration puts its own foreign policy vision into action.
