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.
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.
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.
-
Western Alaska reels as storm aftermath prompts mass evacuations
UNDER THE RADAR Alaskan lawmakers point to climate change as airlifts relocate hundreds from coastal communities devastated by the remnants of Typhoon Halong
-
Crossword: October 17, 2025
The Week's daily crossword
-
Codeword: October 17, 2025
The Week's daily codeword puzzle
-
Pentagon reporters turn in badges after refusing rules
Speed Read They refused to sign a restrictive new press policy imposed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
-
Supreme Court points to gutting Voting Rights Act
speed read States would no longer be required to consider race when drawing congressional maps
-
Trump says he authorized covert CIA ops in Venezuela
Speed Read He is also considering military strikes inside the country
-
‘Vile, racist’ leaked chats roil Young Republicans
Speed Read Leaders of Young Republican groups made racist, antisemitic and violent comments in private chats
-
Trump ties $20B Argentina bailout to Milei votes
speed read Trump will boost Argentina’s economy — if the country’s right-wing president wins upcoming elections
-
News organizations reject Pentagon restrictions
Speed Read The proposed policy is Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s latest move to limit press access at the Pentagon
-
Trump declares end to Gaza war, ‘dawn’ of new Mideast
Speed Read Hamas freed the final 20 living Israeli hostages and Israel released thousands of Palestinian detainees
-
Trump DOJ indicts New York AG Letitia James
Speed Read New York Attorney General Letitia James was indicted as Trump’s Justice Department pursues charges against his political opponents