The Hill: Navy secretary takes over as acting Pentagon chief after Esper formally nominated
The White House has sent the official nomination paperwork to the Senate for Mark Esper, President Trump’s pick to lead the Pentagon, setting off a new, temporary power structure at the Defense Department.
“At 3:04 p.m. today, the Senate received the President's formal nomination of Dr. Mark T. Esper to be Secretary of Defense,” chief Pentagon spokesperson Jonathan Hoffman said in a statement.
The move means Esper must step down from his current role as acting Defense Secretary, temporarily heading back to his former Army Secretary position, as required under the 2010 executive order “Providing an Order of Succession Within the Department of Defense.”
Esper is set to go before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday morning for his confirmation hearing.
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WNU Editor: I do not expect any problems with his confirmation process.
More News On President Trump Officially Nominating Mark Esper To Be The Next U.S. Defense Secretary
Trump nominates Esper to be defense chief, succeeding Mattis -- AP
Trump officially nominates Mark Esper as next defense secretary -- USA Today
Esper formally nominated to be defense secretary by White House -- Reuters
Pentagon nominee Esper, a former Raytheon lobbyist, must extend recusal, says Warren -- Defense News
Navy secretary temporarily takes over Pentagon’s top job ahead of Esper confirmation hearing -- Military Times
Spencer becomes acting defense secretary as Esper prepares for confirmation hearing -- Stars and Stripes
Musical chairs at the Pentagon: Eight days, two top jobs, four people -- NBC
Inside the Pentagon’s Game of Musical Chairs -- Marcus Weisgerber, Defense One
