Richard V. Allen, Reagan’s First National Security Adviser, Passes Away at 88

Date:

Richard V. Allen, who served as President Ronald Reagan’s first national security adviser, passed away on November 16 at the age of 88. He died in a hospital in Denver, and although his son confirmed the death, the cause was not specified.

Allen played a significant role in shaping Reagan’s Cold War strategies and U.S. policies toward Iran after American hostages were released. However, he stepped down from his position amid an ethics investigation. Despite this, Allen’s influence on Reagan and the Republican Party is remembered, especially for an important decision made at the 1980 Republican National Convention.

In a moment of political drama, Allen helped convince Reagan to choose George H.W. Bush as his running mate instead of Gerald Ford. Allen, who didn’t think Ford was the right choice, pushed Reagan to consider Bush, who would go on to be the GOP nominee and eventually president. This decision, made just hours before the convention, helped shape the future of U.S. politics.

Before working with Reagan, Allen had served as a foreign policy adviser during Richard Nixon’s campaign in 1968 and later in his White House. He became an adviser to Reagan during his 1976 primary campaign. Allen supported Reagan’s tough stance on the Soviet Union, advocating for military build-up to pressure the Soviets during the Cold War.

Allen was also involved in the release of 52 American hostages held in Iran in 1979, during the final days of Jimmy Carter’s presidency. There was much speculation that Reagan’s team had secretly helped delay the release until after he took office, but Allen strongly denied these claims. There were also some shady moments during the campaign, including a meeting where Allen was introduced to a man claiming he could help with the hostage situation. Allen later criticized the poor judgment of one of Reagan’s aides in these dealings.

After the hostages were released, Allen stayed on to help manage the aftermath. However, his time in the White House came to an end in 1981, after an ethics investigation involving a $1,000 payment from a Japanese journalist. While no wrongdoing was found, Allen resigned amid the controversy. This was not the first time Allen faced scrutiny—there had been allegations of conflicts of interest during the 1980 campaign, but these claims were also not proven.

Born in Collingswood, New Jersey, in 1936, Allen studied political science at the University of Notre Dame and later did graduate work in Germany. He went on to work for think tanks and universities before diving into political advising. After leaving public service, Allen founded a consulting firm and retired in 2004.

Allen was married to Patricia Mason for 67 years, and they had seven children, along with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Despite his serious role in Washington, he was known for his charm, attending galas and making connections with diplomats and journalists. But he also had a reputation for being tight-lipped and loyal, refusing to leak White House discussions. He once said, “It’s tacky and stupid, because it’ll always come back to the leaker.”

Christiane Amanpour
Christiane Amanpour
Christiane Amanpour is a distinguished news anchor renowned for her expertise in delivering impactful and thought-provoking stories. With a steadfast dedication to journalism, she brings clarity and depth to complex global issues, fostering a meaningful connection with her audience. Christiane's unwavering commitment to truth and storytelling has made her a trusted voice in newsrooms worldwide.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Share post:

Subscribe

spot_imgspot_img

Popular

More like this
Related

Why Biden’s Silence Speaks Volumes After the 2024 Election and Democratic Loss

After the Democrats' tough loss in the election, President...

Man Sentenced to Life for the Murder of Georgia Nursing Student Laken Riley

Jose Antonio Ibarra, a 26-year-old man, was found guilty...

4 University of Rochester Students Arrested for Posting ‘Wanted’ Flyers Targeting Jewish Staff

Four students were arrested after putting up "wanted" posters...

Texas Anesthesiologist Gets 190 Years in Prison for Sabotaging IV Bags

A Dallas anesthesiologist has been sentenced to a staggering...