Trump fires defense secretary in post-election reckoning after public policy clashes

By Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali

 

FILE PHOTO: U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper speaks during a joint news conference with Britain's Secretary of State of Defence Ben Wallace after their meeting at Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, U.S., March 5, 2020. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas/File Photo

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that he had "terminated" Defense Secretary Mark Esper, appearing to use his final months in office after his election defeat to settle scores within his administration.

 

Trump split with Esper over a range of issues and was particularly angered by Esper's public opposition to Trump's threats to use active duty military forces this summer to suppress street protests over racial injustice after police killed George Floyd in Minneapolis.

 

Trump said on Twitter that Christopher Miller, director of the National Counterterrorism Center, was taking over as acting secretary of defense. The Senate would be highly unlikely to confirm a new nominee before Trump leaves office in January.

 

"Mark Esper has been terminated," Trump said in a tweet, adding that Miller would be acting secretary "effective immediately."

 

A U.S. defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows called Esper to alert him that Trump would be firing him through Twitter.

 

Sources said Esper had long been preparing for his resignation or dismissal following last week's election, particularly if Trump were to win a second term in office. Trump, a Republican, has steadfastly refused to acknowledge his election loss to President-elect Joe Biden, a Democrat.

 

Representative Adam Smith, the Democrat who leads the House Armed Services Committee, condemned Trump's decision as "childish" and reckless.

 

"Dismissing politically appointed national security leaders during a transition is a destabilizing move that will only embolden our adversaries and put our country at greater risk," Smith said.

 

As Trump put into motion a quick, unceremonious exit for Esper, Miller arrived at the Pentagon building just an hour or so after Trump's announcement -- before the Pentagon itself had even issued a statement acknowledging Esper's dismissal.

 

It was unclear if Esper was still in the building at the time Miller arrived.

 

Trump has had an uneasy relationship with the Pentagon, where Esper and top brass have repeatedly sought to avoid being seen as a political instrument of the Trump administration.

 

Esper's predecessor, Jim Mattis, quit in 2018 over policy differences with Trump, including on Syria. Mattis in June criticized Trump as the "first president in my lifetime who does not try to unite the American people - does not even pretend to try. Instead he tries to divide us."

 

Like Mattis, Esper also disagreed with Trump's dismissive attitude toward the NATO alliance and was wary of Trump's inclination to see U.S. military alliances through an explicitly transactional lens even as he backed Trump's calls for allies to increase defense spending, sources said.

 

(Additional reporting by Daphne Psaledakis and Susan Heavey; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-11-10

 

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OP: U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that he had "terminated" Defense Secretary Mark Esper, appearing to use his final months in office after his election defeat to settle scores within his administration."

 

Opinion

 

What election defeat? Oh, yeah, the MSM-certified election defeat. Trump's final months would not be enough time to settle scores AFAIC (assuming that there are 'final months' and not 'final years').

 

Opinion

Mr. Biden is treated, nationally and internationally, as the future POTUS. 

There should be a clear statement from an official U.S.A. entity, if there is a doubt about it. 

 

20 minutes ago, MaxYakov said:

OP: U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that he had "terminated" Defense Secretary Mark Esper, appearing to use his final months in office after his election defeat to settle scores within his administration."

 

Opinion

 

What election defeat? Oh, yeah, the MSM-certified election defeat. Trump's final months would not be enough time to settle scores AFAIC (assuming that there are 'final months' and not 'final years').

 

Opinion

Did you complain when Trump was called by MSM on 8 November 2016? ????

Edited November 9, 20205 yr by candide

Lol, a red wedding! More to come. Getting my popcorn as this guy gets crazier and crazier.

32 minutes ago, MaxYakov said:

What election defeat?  .

 

The one where the majority of people voted for Joe Biden!

2 minutes ago, Somtamnication said:

Lol, a red wedding! More to come. Getting my popcorn as this guy gets crazier and crazier.

Yeah, this sort of behavior if he lost has been predicted for a long time. In my opinion, it will get much worse. But given that his presidency has been historically damaging, who can be surprised that his lame duck phase will be icing on that not tasty cake? 

Just now, PatOngo said:

The one where the majority of people voted for Joe Biden!

Yes it seems we need to repeat this again and again and again until it eventually sinks in.

President Elect Joe Biden. 

The irony is that getting fired by this president especially at this time in his declining career can easily be seen as a positive for those fired. Reports are that understandably white house staff are looking for new jobs. There is something called the "Trump stain" that they will carry for the rest of their lives that will hurt their future chances. Getting fired by him goes at least a little way to cleaning that stain. 

1 minute ago, Jingthing said:

The irony is that getting fired by this president especially at this time in his declining career can easily be seen as a positive for those fired. Reports are that understandably white house staff are looking for new jobs. There is something called the "Trump stain" that they will carry for the rest of their lives that will hurt their future chances. Getting fired by him goes at least a little way to cleaning that stain. 

The stench will outlast the stain!

yes mr Esper dared to do his job in spite of trump kudos mr Esper as mr trump again brings profound disgrace appon himsielf and his place in history what an ugly spiteful nasty little man

I think Trump just wants to come across as Boss man in charge of his world. That's why he's being seen to be  playing golf as though he hasn't got a care in the world and partly why he'll sack some people like this. 

Edited November 9, 20205 yr by Fat is a type of crazy

This election is a clear and resounding victory for the majority. Over a 4.million vote popular margin, and the electoral college, which will likely be up to over 300, within days. Too insurmountable for crybaby Don, to overcome. 

 

He continues his reckless path, and his scorched earth manners. You are gone, baby gone. Good ridden. See ya. Pack it up. 

1 hour ago, luckyluke said:

Mr. Biden is treated, nationally and internationally, as the future POTUS. 

There should be a clear statement from an official U.S.A. entity, if there is a doubt about it. 

 

Biden hasn't won, IMO, till the electoral college says he has and congress announces it.

 

https://apnews.com/article/when-do-electoral-votes-need-to-be-in-970e6b8c8474c77ac6ab4fb0d56caa5b

Electoral College electors in each state don’t vote until Dec. 14. The electors’ votes typically align with the popular vote in each state. But not all states require the votes cast by electors to mirror the popular vote. Certificates recording the electoral vote results in each state must be received by the president of the Senate and the archivist no later than Dec. 23.

The official results of the electoral votes are sent to the new elected Congress, which is set to meet in a joint session on Jan. 6, 2021, and announce the results.

30 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Biden hasn't won, IMO, till the electoral college says he has and congress announces it.

Another one in denial, the sooner you get over it and come to terms with reality, the better you will feel.......Maybe!

41 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Biden hasn't won,... 

If I understand correctly,  there is no official winner till a certain date;

but historically it is accepted as such, nationally and internationally, when the results are proclaimed. 

1 hour ago, Jingthing said:

The irony is that getting fired by this president especially at this time in his declining career can easily be seen as a positive for those fired. Reports are that understandably white house staff are looking for new jobs. There is something called the "Trump stain" that they will carry for the rest of their lives that will hurt their future chances. Getting fired by him goes at least a little way to cleaning that stain. 

WHO in their right mind would hire White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany after this (unless they need a new guest on that show "To Tell The Truth" where the best liars win)?

1 hour ago, Tug said:

yes mr Esper dared to do his job in spite of trump kudos mr Esper as mr trump again brings profound disgrace appon himsielf and his place in history what an ugly spiteful nasty little man

I'm hoping Biden can reinstate Esper as well as the Vindman brothers.

1 hour ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Biden hasn't won, IMO, till the electoral college says he has and congress announces it.

Good thing your opinion has no bearing on the election.

12 minutes ago, J Town said:

Good thing your opinion has no bearing on the election.

He isent even an American citizen just another opinion lol

Most expect CIA Director Haspel and FBI Director Wray will also be fired.

 

USAID Deputy Adminstrator Bonnie Glick terminated.

 

 

Heavens above! doesn’t he realise he’s been fired?

1 minute ago, Brickbat said:

Heavens above! doesn’t he realise he’s been fired?

 

That might come in the final episode?

 

Paging Mr. Loaf or Mr. Busey.

 

Right now we're watching the "Jump the Shark" epsiode.

 

 

 

 

2 hours ago, PatOngo said:

The one where the majority of people voted for Joe Biden!

Maybe he's confused & thinking of the one where the majority of people voted for Hillary Clinton...?

1 hour ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Biden hasn't won, IMO, till the electoral college says he has and congress announces it.

 

https://apnews.com/article/when-do-electoral-votes-need-to-be-in-970e6b8c8474c77ac6ab4fb0d56caa5b

Electoral College electors in each state don’t vote until Dec. 14. The electors’ votes typically align with the popular vote in each state. But not all states require the votes cast by electors to mirror the popular vote. Certificates recording the electoral vote results in each state must be received by the president of the Senate and the archivist no later than Dec. 23.

The official results of the electoral votes are sent to the new elected Congress, which is set to meet in a joint session on Jan. 6, 2021, and announce the results.

So when Trump stated he had won the election November 9th 2016, Hilary conceded November 9th, and the media declared that Trump had exceeded the college vote threshold needed to win the election, thus ending the campaign you were publicly stating the same viewpoint, that indeed Trump hadn't won ?

Yeah...right !

2 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Biden hasn't won, IMO, till the electoral college says he has and congress announces it

Yes. When Germany leads Brazil 7-0 in the World Cup in minute 80 then it also hasn’t won “IMO”. You sound desperate. 

 

 

 

 

3 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Biden hasn't won, IMO, till the electoral college says he has and congress announces it.

 

https://apnews.com/article/when-do-electoral-votes-need-to-be-in-970e6b8c8474c77ac6ab4fb0d56caa5b

Electoral College electors in each state don’t vote until Dec. 14. The electors’ votes typically align with the popular vote in each state. But not all states require the votes cast by electors to mirror the popular vote. Certificates recording the electoral vote results in each state must be received by the president of the Senate and the archivist no later than Dec. 23.

The official results of the electoral votes are sent to the new elected Congress, which is set to meet in a joint session on Jan. 6, 2021, and announce the results.

Which State are you from? Looks like "Denial".

2 hours ago, luckyluke said:

If I understand correctly,  there is no official winner till a certain date;

but historically it is accepted as such, nationally and internationally, when the results are proclaimed. 

Yes but the wrinkle this time is the loser hasn't accepted that he has lost. Very troublesome indeed.

One thing that is encouraging in all this mess is that the people who Trump chose for the critical security agencies all pretty much turned out to be professionals who understood the grave responsibilities they had. Even Ratcliffe seemed not up for putting his hand on the election scale despite being a rabid Trump loyalist - perhaps he didn't have enough time. The only one willing to acquiesce is good ol' Billy Barr, Republican plumber and fixer-upper. Hope he's gotten sloppy enough to become Dis-Barred once this clowncar of a cabinet is turfed out.

"This Administration is running like a fine-tuned machine"