Trump is reportedly getting cold feet about his defense secretary pick
Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan has spent the past six months in limbo.
Shanahan became the acting head of the Defense Department in January, and President Trump announced his intention to nominate him for the full role about a month ago. Yet Shanahan is still waiting for an official nomination to the post, and it may be because Trump is looking to swap him for someone else, NBC News reports.
Trump gave Shanahan some blandly high praise when announcing his intention to nominate him as defense secretary last month, and it seems the president's enthusiasm has only waned from there. While in Normandy for a D-Day remembrance ceremony last week, Trump "asked at least three people what they thought of Shanahan and if they had any suggestions for different candidates." four people tell NBC News. Army Secretary Mark Esper, who Trump previously discussed as a possible DOD secretary nominee, was reportedly mentioned.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
NBC News asked Trump on Tuesday about Shanahan's nomination, and Trump responded by saying he "put it out officially" a few weeks ago, but Shanahan still "has to go through the process." Still, White House officials reportedly said Trump would send Shanahan's official nomination to Congress back on May 18, while two defense officials thought it was coming last week, NBC News reports.
It's not unusual for Trump to change his mind on nominees or even withdraw them once they've already been sent to Congress — take Herman Cain and Ron Vitiello, for example.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Kathryn is a graduate of Syracuse University, with degrees in magazine journalism and information technology, along with hours to earn another degree after working at SU's independent paper The Daily Orange. She's currently recovering from a horse addiction while living in New York City, and likes to share her extremely dry sense of humor on Twitter.
-
Magazine interactive crossword - April 26, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - April 26, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
Magazine solutions - April 26, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - April 26, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
Magazine printables - April 26, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - April 26, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
Mark Menzies: Tories investigate MP after 'bad people' cash claims
Speed Read Fylde MP will sit as an independent while party looks into allegations he misused campaign funds on medical expenses and blackmail pay-out
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Why Johnson won't just pass Ukraine aid
Speed Read The House Speaker could have sent $60 billion in military aid to Ukraine — but it would have split his caucus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Sudan on brink of collapse after a year of war
Speed Read 18 million people face famine as the country continues its bloody downward spiral
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump's first criminal trial starts with jury picks
Speed Read The former president faces charges related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How will Israel respond to Iran's direct attack?
Speed Read Iran’s weekend attack on Israel could escalate into a wider Middle East war
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US, Israel brace for Iran retaliatory strikes
Speed Read An Iranian attack on Israel is believed to be imminent
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Congress honors real-life Rosie the Riveters
Speed Read These American women reshaped the work force during World War II
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Outgunned Ukraine could fall, US general warns
Speed Read Without more US aid, Ukraine is at risk of losing the war
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published