Trump: Shanahan out at Pentagon, Esper now acting secretary
Posted June 18, 2019 7:00 am
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump says Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan is withdrawing his nomination.
Trump tweeted Tuesday that Shanahan had done "a wonderful job" but would step aside to "devote more time to his family."
The president added that the Secretary of the Army, Mark Esper, will be the new acting secretary.
The post atop the Pentagon has not been filled permanently since Gen. James Mattis retired in January.
FILE - In this April 2, 2019, file photo, Secretary of the Army Mark Esper speaks during a House Armed Services Committee budget hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington. President Donald Trump on June 18, named Esper as acting Defense Secretary. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
The Associated Press
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