Aftermath of his defeat at the November 3 poll, United States President Donald Trump said on Monday that he has sacked Defense Secretary Mark Esper.
Trump, who has had disagreement with Esper in recent months over a range of issues, said on Twitter that Christopher Miller, director of the National Counterterrorism Center, will become acting secretary of defense.
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The Senate would be highly unlikely to confirm any new nominee before Trump leaves office in January.
“Mark Esper has been terminated,” Trump said on Twitter. “I am pleased to announce that Christopher C. Miller, the highly respected Director of the National Counterterrorism Center (unanimously confirmed by the Senate), will be Acting Secretary of Defense, effective immediately.”
Esper had long been preparing for the prospect of his resignation or dismissal following the election, particularly if Trump were to win a second term in office, sources said.
The two men fell out earlier this year when Esper opposed Trump’s threat to use active duty troops to suppress street protests over racial injustice in the US.
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Esper also disagreed with Trump’s dismissive attitude toward the NATO alliance, sources said.
