Jun 18 Shanahan drops bid to lead Pentagon, citing ‘painful’ past By Lolita Baldor, Associated Press After months of unexplained delays, Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan stepped down Tuesday before his formal nomination ever went to the Senate, citing a family situation that would hurt his children and reopen "wounds we have worked years to heal."… Continue reading
Jun 18 Trump says Acting Defense Secretary Shanahan withdraws his nomination By Molly Finnegan "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," President Trump wrote on Twitter. Continue reading
May 09 Trump to nominate Acting Secretary Shanahan for top Pentagon post By Robert Burns, Associated Press The former Boeing executive has been leading the Pentagon as acting secretary since Jan. 1, a highly unusual arrangement for arguably the most sensitive Cabinet position. Continue reading
Jan 06 Former Defense Secretary Harold Brown dies at 91 By Associated Press Harold Brown, who as defense secretary in the Carter administration championed cutting-edge fighting technology during a tenure that included the failed rescue of hostages in Iran, has died at age 91. Continue reading
Dec 24 Watch 8:38 Troop drawdowns and Defense Dept. turnover leave U.S. foreign policy in flux Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has signed the order withdrawing U.S. troops from Syria. Meanwhile, President Trump wants to reduce the number of American troops in Afghanistan by half. But what will the decreased U.S. military presence in these countries mean… Continue watching
Dec 20 Watch 6:14 Defense Secretary Mattis resigns, citing differences over the role of alliances A day after President Trump announced a surprise decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria, Secretary of Defense James Mattis submitted his resignation, which will take effect in February. The Wall Street Journal’s Michael Gordon joins Judy Woodruff to discuss… Continue watching
Dec 20 Read James Mattis’ full resignation letter By Daniel Bush In his resignation letter, Defense Secretary James Mattis appeared to point to his policy differences with President Donald Trump, who has frequently clashed with U.S. allies. Continue reading
Dec 02 Trump to nominate retired Gen. James Mattis to lead Pentagon By Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press President-elect Donald Trump says he will nominate retired Gen. James Mattis to be his defense secretary. Mattis, 66, is a Marine Corps general who retired in 2013 after serving as the commander of the U.S. Central Command. Trump made the… Continue reading
Jan 14 U.S. sailors made navigational error in Iran, defense chief says By Robert Burns, Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press TAMPA, Florida — Defense Secretary Ash Carter said Thursday it appears a navigational error caused the crews of two Navy boats to stray into Iranian waters in the Persian Gulf, where they were detained overnight by Iran and released. Continue reading
Dec 03 Watch 9:58 Full Interview: Ash Carter on a military turning point for women in combat By PBS News Hour Continue watching