The New York Times
BREAKING NEWS
Shanahan Withdraws as Defense Secretary Nominee
ImagePatrick Shanahan, the acting defense secretary, testifying before Congress in April.
Patrick Shanahan, the acting defense secretary, testifying before Congress in April.CreditCreditErin Schaff/The New York Times
By Michael D. Shear
June 18, 2019
President Trump on Tuesday pulled the nomination of Patrick M. Shanahan to be the permanent defense secretary, saying on Twitter that Mr. Shanahan would devote more time to his family.
Mr. Trump named Mark T. Esper, the secretary of the Army and a former Raytheon executive, to take over as acting secretary of defense. He did not say whether Mr. Esper would be nominated for the permanent position.
Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan, who has done a wonderful job, has decided not to go forward with his confirmation process so that he can devote more time to his family....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 18, 2019
....I thank Pat for his outstanding service and will be naming Secretary of the Army, Mark Esper, to be the new Acting Secretary of Defense. I know Mark, and have no doubt he will do a fantastic job!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 18, 2019
The Turnover at the Top of the Trump Administration
Since President Trump’s inauguration, White House staffers and cabinet officials have left in firings and resignations, one after the other.
During his six-month tenure as the department’s acting secretary, Mr. Shanahan was criticized for slighting Lockheed Martin, Boeing’s chief competitor, for its mismanagement of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, an aircraft that is years behind schedule and millions of dollars over budget.
He was widely viewed as acquiescing to the White House and other government officials, including John Bolton and Mike Pompeo, the secretary of state. Mr. Shanahan famously said that the Pentagon would not be viewed as the “Department of No.”
This is a developing story. It will be updated.
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