
President Trump said that he is “most likely” going to nominate Army Secretary Mark Esper to become the next secretary of defense, just hours after he tweeted that Esper would assume the role of acting defense secretary as Patrick Shanahan withdrew his name for consideration and announced he will resign from his role at the Pentagon. Speaking to reporters June 18, Trump said nominating Esper “is what I am thinking of doing.” Earlier in the media appearance, Trump called Esper…