Retired US Navy Vice Admiral Robert Harward didn't just turn down Donald Trump's offer to replace Michael Flynn as White House National security Advisor.  He told friends that the offer was a "sh*t sandwich".

Officially, Harward released a statement noting that he was able to address certain family and financial issues that were pushed to the back burner during his time in the military.  "Like all service members understand, and live, this job requires 24 hours a day, 7 days a week focus and commitment to do it right," Harward's wrote.  "I currently could not make that commitment.  My thoughts and prayers are with those that carry such heavy burdens and responsibility for taking care of our country's national security concerns.  God bless this great country of ours."

But in private, Harward was taken aback by the chaos of the Trump White House; CNN reports that Harward told a friend the offer was a "shit sandwich".

Specifically, the former Navy SEAL who served on the National Security Council under President George W. Bush wanted to bring in his own team, autonomous of Trump's political operatives who seem to run out of control all over the West Wing.  A senior Republican familiar with the process added that "a question of clarity regarding the lines of authority" was central in Harward's decision. "I wouldn't call it a disagreement as much as questions that could not be resolved to his comfort level," the senior Republican told CNN.

In the end, babysitting a 72-year old toddler with questionable ties to America's rivals in the Kremlin, little knowledge of international affairs, and little desire to learn didn't seem worth the trouble.