According to sources familiar with the discussion, the White House staff is preparing for the departure of national security adviser H.R. McMaster.
Sources indicated that the move was initiated by chief of staff John Kelly and Defense Secretary James Mattis.
According to officials, a leading candidate to replace McMaster is Stephen Biegun, an auto industry executive who served on the National Security Council staff under Condoleezza Rice.
Rice introduced Biegun to Mattis, and the Defense Secretary felt he would be a good fit for the role of national security adviser after a think tank event.
But a spokesman with Ford stated Biegun does not intend to leave the automaker, where he works as the VP international governmental affairs.