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Mark Esper Becomes First Permanent Secretary of Defense of 2019

Mark Esper Becomes First Permanent Secretary of Defense of 2019
Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis formally swears in the Secretary of the Army Dr. Mark Esper at the Pentagon, Washinton D.C., Jan. 5, 2018. (DoD photo by Navy Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Kathryn E. Holm)

The Senate confirmed Mark Esper to become the next permanent secretary of defense July 23 by a landslide vote, ending months of uncertainty about the Pentagon’s leadership. Esper, who previously served as Army secretary since 2017, was confirmed by a vote of 90-8 Tuesday afternoon. Eight Democrats voted against his confirmation, and two senators – Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) and presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) did not vote. Chief Pentagon Spokesman Jonathan Hoffman told reporters Tuesday morning that Esper…

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