Trump plans to nominate Mark Esper to be Pentagon chief - White House

Outgoing U.S. Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan (R) shakes hands with U.S. President Donald Trump's nominee for next Defense Secretary Mark Esper as he leaves the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, U.S., June 21, 2019. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas - Copyright YURI GRIPAS(Reuters)

By Reuters

Published on 22/06/2019 - 03:02•Updated 19/04/2024 - 20:24

Comments

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday he intends to nominate Army Secretary Mark Esper to be secretary of defence, the White House said in a statement.

Esper takes over as acting defence secretary on Monday following the resignation of Patrick Shanahan, who is stepping down after media reports emerged this week of domestic violence in his family. Trump said on Tuesday he would likely nominate Esper to lead the Pentagon.