TRUMP PEOPLE/NAVY: “President Trump’s nominee for secretary of the Navy, Philip Bilden, has withdrawn his name from consideration, Bilden and Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis said Sunday in statements.
Both Bilden’s and Mattis’ statements said Bilden’s business interests created complications. He recently retired from a private equity investment management firm, according to a White House statement.
‘After an extensive review process,’ Bilden said, ‘I have determined that I will not be able to satisfy the Office of Government Ethics requirements without undue disruption and materially adverse divestment of my family’s private financial interests.’ “
–Ralph Ellis, “Navy secretary nominee Philip Bilden withdraws,” CNN Politics, CNN.com, Feb. 26, 2017