The rumors of tension between President Trump and his national security adviser, H.R. McMaster have been circulating since he took over for Michael Flynn last year.

The problem seems to be that Trump bristles, whenever McMaster “gently” tries to correct Trump, or steer him back to the topic at hand when they’re in meetings.

Trump also sent McMaster out to give the statement on why former FBI Director James Comey was fired in May of last year, only to contradict that statement the very next day, when he told NBC’s Lester Holt that Comey was fired because of the “Russia thing.”

That pretty much earned him a hard look, in the direction of “obstruction.”

McMaster apparently got the feeling, real quick, that he was fighting a losing battle.

Now, according to reports, he may be waving the white flag and going back to less contentious ground with the Pentagon.

A handful of defense and administration officials told the network that a search is being conducted at the Pentagon for an appropriate military position for McMaster, allowing the three-star general to return to the Defense Department.

The officials told CNN that the White House and Defense Department are specifically looking for a position that would recognize McMaster’s service and allow him to receive his fourth star.

The concern among some, however, is that because McMaster has been working as Trump’s national security adviser, his image is now politicized. Retirement, rather than a place back with the Pentagon may be more in line with what happens.

“I have a job and it is my intention to go as long and hard as I can in service of the president and the nation,” McMaster told reporters last month.

That “as I can” might be the key phrase, actually. If the job has become unbearable and he walks away, then that still counts, right?

McMaster became a target for Trump loyalists, such as Breitbart News, because once taking over as national security adviser, he started implementing necessary changes and moving people around.

He [wisely] booted Steve Bannon off the National Security Council, restructuring the outfit to appear less political and more security oriented, as intended.

So what does the White House think of this rumor of McMaster leaving?

The White House did not respond to CNN’s request for comment for the story, but on Tuesday White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Trump “still has confidence in General McMaster.”

Uh oh. As we know from the past, that’s pretty much the kiss of death. He’s as good as gone.

It may be for the best, however. If his words are not being taken seriously, he can do more good back in an environment he’s used to.

But who will replace him?