By — Molly Finnegan Molly Finnegan Leave a comment 0comments Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/trump-says-acting-defense-secretary-shanahan-withdraws-his-nomination Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Trump says Acting Defense Secretary Shanahan withdraws his nomination Politics Jun 18, 2019 1:27 PM EDT Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan, President Donald Trump’s pick for the top Defense role, has withdrawn from the confirmation process, according to a tweet by the president on Tuesday. “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,” Trump wrote. 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 The president also announced that Army Secretary Mark Esper will be new acting secretary. Before Esper’s confirmation in 2017, he was vice president for Government Relations at the Raytheon Company, and served in the Army during the Gulf War. This story is developing and will be updated. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — Molly Finnegan Molly Finnegan
Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan, President Donald Trump’s pick for the top Defense role, has withdrawn from the confirmation process, according to a tweet by the president on Tuesday. “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,” Trump wrote. 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 The president also announced that Army Secretary Mark Esper will be new acting secretary. Before Esper’s confirmation in 2017, he was vice president for Government Relations at the Raytheon Company, and served in the Army during the Gulf War. This story is developing and will be updated. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now