Robert C. O'Brien facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robert C. O'Brien
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O'Brien in 2018
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| 27th United States National Security Advisor | |
| In office September 18, 2019 – January 20, 2021 |
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| President | Donald Trump |
| Deputy |
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| Preceded by | John Bolton |
| Succeeded by | Jake Sullivan |
| 2nd Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs | |
| In office May 25, 2018 – October 3, 2019 |
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| President | Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | James C. O'Brien |
| Succeeded by | Roger D. Carstens |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Robert Charles O'Brien Jr.
June 18, 1966 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Lo-Mari O'Brien |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | University of California, Los Angeles (BA) University of California, Berkeley (JD) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service | |
| Rank |  Major |
| Unit | Judge Advocate General's Corps |
Robert Charles O'Brien Jr. (born June 18, 1966) is an American lawyer. He served as the 27th National Security Advisor from 2019 to 2021. This important role involves advising the President on national security and foreign policy. He was the last person to hold this job during Donald Trump's first time as president. Today, O'Brien leads a company called American Global Strategies. It helps businesses with international politics and managing big problems.
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Robert O'Brien's Early Life and School
Robert O'Brien was born in Los Angeles, California. He grew up in Santa Rosa, California. He went to Cardinal Newman High School. In 1987, he won a scholarship from Rotary International. This allowed him to study in South Africa at the University of the Free State.
He earned a degree in political science from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1989. Later, in 1992, he received a law degree from the UC Berkeley School of Law.
Robert O'Brien's First Jobs
From 1996 to 1998, O'Brien worked as a legal officer. He was part of the United Nations Compensation Commission in Switzerland. He also served as a major in the Judge Advocate General's Corps. This is a legal branch of the United States Army Reserve.
Working as a Lawyer
O'Brien was a managing partner at the law firm Arent Fox LLP for seven years. He also helped start a law firm called Larson O'Brien LLP in 2016. He left this firm when he became the National Security Advisor.
Helping the Government
In 2005, President George W. Bush chose O'Brien to represent the U.S. at the United Nations General Assembly.
O'Brien also helped lead a program in Afghanistan. This program, started in 2007, worked to improve the legal system. It trained judges and lawyers. He continued this work during the first term of the Obama administration.
In 2008, President Bush also appointed O'Brien to a committee. This group advised on issues related to ancient artifacts and cultural items.
Working on Political Campaigns
In 2011, O'Brien joined Mitt Romney's team. He helped advise on international organizations for Romney's presidential campaign.
Later, in 2015, he advised Scott Walker's presidential campaign. After Walker left the race, O'Brien advised Ted Cruz's campaign.
Roles in the Trump Administration
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In 2017, O'Brien was considered for the job of Secretary of the Navy. He publicly supported having a larger U.S. Navy.
From 2018 to 2019, O'Brien served as the Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs. In this role, he worked to free Americans held captive in other countries. He was given the rank of ambassador for this work.
- In 2018, he helped free American pastor Andrew Brunson from Turkey.
- He also helped free Danny Burch, an American oil worker held in Yemen.
- In 2022, the French President awarded O'Brien a special honor. This was partly for helping rescue two French people held hostage.
O'Brien also attended the trial of American rapper ASAP Rocky in Sweden. He said the president sent him to help free Americans who were unfairly held. The Swedish court did not give in to political pressure.
National Security Advisor Role
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Becoming the Advisor
O'Brien became the National Security Advisor on September 18, 2019. President Trump chose him to replace John Bolton. O'Brien was seen as a traditional conservative in foreign policy.
Early in his time, O'Brien went with Vice President Mike Pence to meet with the Turkish President. They worked to create a ceasefire in Syria.
In December 2019, O'Brien supported President Trump's decision. Trump had pardoned Navy SEAL Eddie Gallagher.
After a drone strike killed Qasem Soleimani in January 2020, O'Brien defended the action. He said Soleimani was planning attacks on U.S. targets.
Focus on China
The National Security Council under O'Brien focused a lot on China. He believed in a tough approach towards China. He warned China about sanctions if it passed a new security law. This law was seen by many as harmful to freedom in Hong Kong.
O'Brien also spoke out against China's actions in the territorial disputes in the South China Sea. He increased U.S. military activity there. This was to ensure freedom of navigation. He criticized China's government, calling it "Marxist-Leninist." He said the U.S. would work with allies to resist China's actions.
COVID-19 Pandemic
O'Brien was involved in early talks about the COVID-19 pandemic. In March 2020, he advised Trump to stop travel from Europe. He told Trump that the pandemic would be the biggest national security threat he would face.
In May 2020, O'Brien criticized China's handling of the virus. He said their "cover-up" would be remembered like the Chernobyl disaster.
Peace Talks and Agreements
O'Brien helped organize a summit between Kosovo and Serbia in 2020. Agreements were signed at the White House. Kosovo later gave O'Brien an award for his work on this effort.
O'Brien was also in office when the U.S. helped create the Abraham Accords. These agreements led to UAE, Bahrain, and other countries normalizing relations with Israel. O'Brien said Trump should get the Nobel Peace Prize for this. He traveled with a U.S.-Israeli group on the first commercial flight from Israel to the UAE. Trump gave O'Brien a medal for his role in these agreements.
End of His Term
After the 2020 election, O'Brien was one of the few senior officials to accept Joe Biden's victory. He said he would ensure a smooth transition to the new administration. O'Brien remained National Security Advisor until Trump's term ended on January 20, 2021.
China and Taiwan Relations
On January 20, 2021, the Chinese government placed sanctions on O'Brien. They said he had interfered in China's affairs. These sanctions prevent him from entering China and restrict businesses linked to him.
On March 21, 2023, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen gave O'Brien an award. This was to thank him for his work in improving relations between Taiwan and the U.S.
After the Trump Administration
Future Political Plans
After 2020, some people thought O'Brien might run for president in 2024. He visited states important for early presidential elections. However, some experts questioned if he had enough public recognition. Others suggested he might be building his reputation for a future role. This could be as Secretary of State or Secretary of Defense.
Private Sector Work
In July 2022, O'Brien became chairman of the board for the Richard Nixon Foundation. This foundation runs the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum.
In 2021, O'Brien started his own consulting firm, American Global Strategies. It advises companies on international and U.S. politics. The firm does not share its client list.
Robert O'Brien's Personal Life
O'Brien was raised Catholic but later converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His wife, Lo-Mari O'Brien, is from South Africa. He can speak Afrikaans. They had three children: Margaret, Robert, and Lauren. Sadly, his son Robert passed away in 2015.
Books by Robert O'Brien
O'Brien wrote a book in 2016 called While America Slept: Restoring American Leadership to a World in Crisis. The book talks about his beliefs. He believes in American strength and that peace comes when the U.S. is strong. He also believes America is stronger when it works with its allies.
Some reviews praised the book. They said it could show what President Trump's foreign policy might be like. Other reviews were more critical. They felt the book was too critical of the Obama administration's policies.
While he was National Security Advisor, O'Brien also edited a book. It was called "Trump on China: Putting America First." This book was a collection of speeches about China by government officials.
See also
- ASAP Rocky#Assault in Sweden § Notes
