Jul 23 Senate confirms Mark Esper as secretary of defense By Robert Burns, Associated Press Mark Esper, an Army veteran and former defense industry lobbyist, won Senate confirmation Tuesday by a vote of 90-8, ending the longest period the Pentagon has gone without a confirmed leader in its history. Continue reading
Jun 18 Watch 11:10 Reports of domestic violence prompt Shanahan to step down Another personnel disruption is rocking the White House, as Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan withdrew from consideration for the permanent role Tuesday amid reports of domestic violence in his past. The Washington Post’s Aaron Davis spoke with Shanahan about… Continue watching
Jun 18 Watch 6:25 Tim Kaine on Shanahan allegations, Mark Esper and tensions with Iran President Trump announced Tuesday that Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan will not seek confirmation for the permanent version of the role. Reports then surfaced about possible incidents of domestic violence in Shanahan’s past. Judy Woodruff talks to Sen. Tim… Continue watching
Dec 21 Watch 2:30 Around the world, allies express dismay at Mattis departure The resignation of Defense Secretary Jim Mattis reverberated around the world Friday. Although he disagreed with the president repeatedly over major issues, the retired four-star Marine Corps general was widely admired and seen as a stabilizing force within the administration. Continue watching
Dec 21 Watch 9:51 Mattis departure ‘puts our nation at risk,’ Panetta says Foreign policy experts across the political spectrum are expressing alarm about the military, political and humanitarian consequences of Defense Secretary Jim Mattis’ departure--and his reasons for leaving. Former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and the president of the Council on… Continue watching
Dec 21 Watch 8:23 Rubio: Trump ‘about to make a major blunder’ on Syria Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said President Trump “is abandoning the effort in Syria before it is completely finished," and that it is the job of Congress to attempt to convince him otherwise. Rubio joins Judy Woodruff to discuss the abrupt… Continue watching
Aug 28 Watch 8:46 From Yemen to Europe, White House foreign policy is in the spotlight By Nick Schifrin, Judy Woodruff, Morgan Till Secretary of Defense James Mattis held a rare, on-camera press briefing today, fielding questions on Yemen, North Korea and the trans-Atlantic alliance. In Europe, meanwhile, top leaders voiced renewed concern about the outlook for their relationship with the U.S. Foreign… Continue watching
Jan 20 Watch 3:50 News Wrap: Senate confirms Mattis, Kelly By PBS NewsHour In our news wrap Friday, Congress signed off on the first of President Trump's picks to fill out his cabinet, nearly unanimously voting to approve Defense Secretary James Mattis and Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly. Also, Mexican drug lord "El… Continue watching
Jan 12 Watch 3:29 In Senate hearings, Mattis and Pompeo differ over Iran nuclear deal By PBS NewsHour Gen. James Mattis was well received by the Senate Armed Services Committee, with whom he discussed threats from China and the Islamic State, as well as women in combat roles. In front of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Mike Pompeo disavowed… Continue watching
Jan 12 Watch 6:07 News Wrap: Kremlin wants to tear apart NATO, Mattis warns By PBS NewsHour In our news wrap Thursday, defense secretary-designate Gen. James Mattis said at his confirmation hearing that the U.S. must recognize Russian President Vladimir Putin is trying to break apart the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Also, the first of 3,500 U.S. Continue watching