ARMY/MILITARY/NOMINATIONS/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “The Trump administration plans to name Mark Esper as its nominee for Army secretary, administration and congressional sources confirmed to CNN.
Esper is the third person the Trump administration has named as its pick for Army secretary after the first two picks both dropped out — one over financial vetting issues and the other amid a backlash over controversial comments on LGBT issues.
Esper is a defense lobbyist for Raytheon and has been head of the company’s government relations arm since 2010.
His selection was first reported by the Washington Examiner.
Senate armed services committee Chairman John McCain, who will handle Esper’s confirmation process, has urged the Trump administration to put forward Pentagon nominees, but he could be wary of Esper’s industry ties.
During his confirmation hearing, McCain slammed new Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan, a former Boeing executive, over his ties to industry, and he said he’s concerned generally about defense executives taking senior jobs at the Pentagon.”
-Jeremy Herb, “Trump to tap Raytheon lobbyist as Army secretary,” CNN Politics, CNN.com, July 19, 2017 02:12pm