Donald Trump selects Michael Flynn as national security adviser

He was pushed out as chief of the Defense Intelligence Agency in 2014

Retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General Michael Flynn served as an adviser to the Trump presidential campaign (Getty Images)

President-elect Donald Trump has chosen retired Army Lt General Mike Flynn as his national security adviser, a senior official told the Associated Press on Thursday.

The retired general has publicly condemned the Obama administration by demanding a more aggressive strategy to fight the Islamic State overseas. He’s also recently supported Mr Trump’s promise to ban Muslims and admitted that he’s cool with waterboarding and killing the families of suspected terrorists.

He previously served as chief of the Defense Intelligence Agency but was eventually forced out of office in 2014 over his opposition to the religion of Islam and his vocal criticism Obama administration. The AP noted that Mr Flynn has not committed on the appointment and that the position does not require confirmation from the Senate.