Obama names Rice as national security adviser

U.S. ambassador to United Nationas Susan Rice to take over

President Obama stands with, UN Ambassador Susan Rice, his choice to be his next National Security Adviser, right, current National Security Adviser Tom Donilon, who is resigning and Samantha Power, his nominee to be the next United Nations Ambassador today in the Rose Garden at the White House.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

President Obama stands with, UN Ambassador Susan Rice, his choice to be his next National Security Adviser, right, current National Security Adviser Tom Donilon, who is resigning and Samantha Power, his nominee to be the next United Nations Ambassador today in the Rose Garden at the White House.

WASHINGTON — Shaking up his national security team, President Obama tapped diplomat Susan Rice as his national security adviser, defying Republicans who have vigorously criticized her faulty explanation about the attack on Americans in Benghazi, Libya.

“Susan is the consummate public servant — a patriot who puts her country first,” Obama said while announcing Rice’s appointment today during a Rose Garden ceremony.

Rice will take over the top national security post from Tom Donilon, who is resigning after four years in the White House. Obama lauded the 58-year-old Donilon for having “shaped every single national security policy of my presidency,” including the renewed U.S. focus on ties with Asia.

Obama also announced the nomination of former aide Samantha Power to replace Rice as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Power is a human rights advocate and expert on genocide.

For Rice — a longtime Obama ally and close confidante of the president — the appointment is a bit of redemption after she was forced to withdraw from consideration as Obama’s second-term secretary of State amid criticism of her handling of the Benghazi attacks. Rice said at the time that she did not want her confirmation hearing to become a distraction for the White House. The national security post does not require Senate confirmation.

Neither Obama nor Rice mentioned the Benghazi controversy during today's ceremony. Rice said she looked forward to working with lawmakers from both parties “to protect the United States, advance our global leadership and promote the values Americans hold dear.”

Rice’s selection was greeted by a muted response from some Republicans who had earlier accused her of being part of an administration cover-up in the Benghazi attacks.

Arizona Sen. John McCain, one of Rice’s harshest critics, wrote on Twitter today that he disagreed with her appointment but would “make every effort” to work with her on important matters. And Tennessee Sen. Bob Corker, the top Republican on the foreign relations committee, said he had spoken with Rice and looked forward “to working with her on shaping important foreign policy and national security issues.”