{"id":62245,"date":"2020-06-04T15:59:30","date_gmt":"2020-06-04T15:59:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2020\/06\/04\/under-fire-from-all-sides-espers-next-move-may-dictate-his-future\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T00:39:12","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T00:39:12","slug":"under-fire-from-all-sides-espers-next-move-may-dictate-his-future","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/pentagon\/2020\/06\/04\/under-fire-from-all-sides-espers-next-move-may-dictate-his-future\/","title":{"rendered":"Under fire from all sides, Esper\u2019s next move may dictate his future"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">WASHINGTON \u2014 With U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper facing criticism from his boss, Pentagon officials, former defense leaders and outside scholars, there is widespread speculation in Washington that his job security is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.defensenews.com\/congress\/2020\/04\/28\/senators-blast-espers-dysfunctional-decision-making-on-coronavirus\/\" target=\"_blank\">on shaky ground<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There doesn\u2019t appear to be a decision yet regarding Esper\u2019s fate, but a tumultuous Wednesday, in which he reportedly infuriated President Donald Trump, has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/news\/your-military\/2020\/06\/03\/handling-of-street-protests-creates-crisis-for-pentagon-boss\/\">raised questions<\/a> about how long the former Raytheon lobbyist and Army secretary can hold onto the Pentagon\u2019s top job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Members of Congress moved to bolster Esper\u2019s position in the last 24 hours, with Trump allies Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., <a href=\"https:\/\/www.politico.com\/news\/2020\/06\/03\/esper-republicans-trump-299455\">showing support<\/a> for the secretary. On Thursday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/senatemajldr\/status\/1268557966199980036\">tweeted out a message<\/a> saying Trump is \u201cvery well served\u201d by Esper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Next week could prove a pivotal one for Esper\u2019s future, as the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., <a href=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/news\/pentagon-congress\/2020\/06\/02\/senior-military-leaders-being-called-to-testify-to-congress-about-george-floyd-protest-response\/\" target=\"_blank\">has requested<\/a> that both the secretary and Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, appear before his committee.<\/p>\n\n\n\t<aside class=\"smg-interstitial-link wp-block-smg-interstitial-link\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/congress\/2020\/06\/02\/lawmakers-want-must-pass-defense-bill-to-protect-protestors-from-the-military\/\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"197\" src=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AP20152805471145.jpg.jpg?w=300\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__image wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__content\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"smg-interstitial-link__kicker\">Related<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"smg-interstitial-link__title\">Lawmakers want must-pass defense bill to protect protesters from the military<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"smg-interstitial-link__excerpt\">Outraged Democrats plan to use the massive defense budget and policy bill to fight President Donald Trump\u2019s push to use the U.S. military to quell days of riots, and they may seek defense cuts to do it.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/aside>\n\t\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Esper\u2019s performance in front of the committee, particularly in how he handles skeptical questions from Democrats, may be monitored closely by White House officials \u2014 assuming the hearing happens. As of now, Esper has not committed to an appearance, according to Monica Matoush, the HASC spokesperson for the majority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cChairman Smith believes it is important for the Committee and the general public to understand Secretary Esper and General Milley\u2019s rationale behind their participation in the events of June 1 in Lafayette Park. While we have not yet received confirmation that they will participate in a public hearing, we remain optimistic that the DoD understands the gravity of this moment,\u201d Matoush said, who added that the committee is considering calling \u201cformer senior defense officials\u201d to testify as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A senior defense official said on condition of anonymity that the Pentagon is reviewing Smith\u2019s request.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Members of the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday also <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/RepJerryNadler\/status\/1268544793350680587\">sent a letter to Esper<\/a>, among other administration officials, demanding information on the Monday incident in Lafayette Park outside the White House that kicked off a tumultuous week for the defense secretary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Should Esper be removed from office, the most likely move would be to have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.defensenews.com\/pentagon\/2019\/07\/31\/pentagon-no-2-confirmed-by-senate\/\" target=_blank>Deputy Defense Secretary David Norquist<\/a> serve as acting secretary. While traditionally the Pentagon is seen as a job that must be quickly filled, Trump has shown a willingness to leaving officials under the \u201cacting\u201d label throughout his administration \u2014 including at the Department of Defense, where then-deputy <a href=\"https:\/\/www.defensenews.com\/congress\/2019\/05\/15\/for-shanahan-looks-like-a-rocky-road-to-defense-secretary\/\" target=_blank>Patrick Shanahan<\/a> was acting defense secretary for almost six months after the resignation for former Secretary Jim Mattis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The timing also lines up for Norquist. Under the Vacancies Act, Norquist would be able to fill the spot for up to 210 days. And with 152 days left until the presidential election, leaving Norquist in place would avoid a contentious Senate confirmation process at a time when the legislative body already has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.defensenews.com\/coronavirus\/2020\/04\/22\/20-empty-seats-coronavirus-may-slow-pentagons-push-to-fill-vacancies\/\" target=_blank>only a few work weeks<\/a> to deal with an already packed schedule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Expect to see the names of<a href=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/news\/pentagon-congress\/2020\/06\/01\/senator-deploy-active-duty-military-to-deal-with-violent-protesters\/\" target=_blank> Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark.<\/a>; national security adviser Robert O\u2019Brien; and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo appear as potential contenders. Whether any of those men, or any number of advisers the president has outside of government, would want to put forth their names before the election is unknown. Cotton, in particular, is up for reelection this November and would seem unlikely to bow out of that race before knowing if Trump will have a second term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><b>72 hours of criticism<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It has been quite the week for Esper, starting with Monday evening, when he and Milley appeared next to Trump at a speech at the White House. Trump then walked to a local church for a photo op, a move that led to police gassing and beating peaceful protesters in Lafayette Park, which is located between the White House and the church. Esper later joined Trump as part of the church photo op.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The actions set off a wave of criticism for the defense leaders, including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/opinions\/2020\/06\/02\/secretary-esper-you-violated-your-oath-aiding-trumps-photo-op-thats-why-im-resigning\/?arc404=true\">the public resignation<\/a> of James Miller, a former top defense official, from his role on the Defense Science Board and including a letter from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.navytimes.com\/news\/your-navy\/2020\/06\/02\/former-joint-chiefs-chairman-blasts-trump-and-the-portent-of-us-troops-on-american-streets\/\">retired Adm. Mike Mullen<\/a>, the 17th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who blasted Esper\u2019s statement on a call with governors in which the secretary said the government must \u201cdominate\u201d the \u201cbattle space.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A number of current and former defense officials, both civilian and uniformed, expressed dismay to Defense News about the actions. Meanwhile, an informal survey by Military Times found little enthusiasm <a href=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/news\/your-military\/2020\/06\/03\/dozens-of-troops-sounded-off-on-the-use-of-the-military-to-help-quell-civil-unrest-this-is-what-they-said\/\">from members of the military<\/a> for the use of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.armytimes.com\/news\/your-army\/2020\/06\/04\/no-those-werent-active-duty-troops-on-the-streets-of-dc-last-night-officials-say\/\" target=_blank>active-duty troops<\/a> against protesters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"960\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/thumbnail_20200604_004807.jpg.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37284\" srcset=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/thumbnail_20200604_004807.jpg.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/thumbnail_20200604_004807.jpg.jpg?resize=300,225 300w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/thumbnail_20200604_004807.jpg.jpg?resize=768,576 768w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/thumbnail_20200604_004807.jpg.jpg?resize=1024,768 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Soldiers with patches from South Carolina National Guard&#8217;s 218th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade stand in line near the White House on June 3, 2020. (Kyle Rempfer\/Staff)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tuesday evening, Esper attempted damage control in an interview with NBC News in which he claimed he did not know the church photo op was in the works. By Wednesday morning, Esper held a news conference at the Pentagon podium during which he both attempted to clean up that interview and made his first public statements on the death of George Floyd, a Minnesota man who died nine days ago, setting off nationwide protests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Former Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin, who was recorded pressing his knee on the handcuffed Floyd\u2019s neck for several minutes, faces a charge of second-degree murder, and three other officers at the scene are accused of aiding and abetting a murder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most notably, the secretary <a href=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/news\/your-military\/2020\/06\/03\/troops-should-not-be-used-as-law-enforcement-against-protestors-secdef-says\/\">laid down a line on the Insurrection Act<\/a> that seemed to contradict Trump, saying: \u201cThe option to use active-duty forces in a law enforcement role should only be used as a matter of last resort, and only in the most urgent and dire of situations. We are not in one of those situations now. I do not support invoking the Insurrection Act.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Esper ended his conference by saying he had to go to the White House, where a frosty reception was already waiting for him. Within an hour of his presser, White House reporters for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2020\/06\/03\/politics\/esper-insurrection-act-protests\/index.html\">a number<\/a> of outlets were reporting that administration staffers were furious with Esper, and they indicated his job was now on thin ice. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2020-06-04\/trump-confronted-defense-chief-esper-over-comments-on-protests\">Bloomberg also reported<\/a> that Trump directly confronted Esper about his comments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Asked about Esper\u2019s status later in the day, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany offered a less-than-ringing endorsement: \u201cAs of right now, Secretary Esper is still Secretary Esper. And should the president lose faith, we will all learn about that in the future.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The secretary\u2019s status may have played a part in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/news\/pentagon-congress\/2020\/06\/03\/active-duty-troops-deployed-to-dc-region-start-to-leave\/\">reversal of a plan<\/a> to remove active duty troops who had been flown into the D.C. area, but Military Times reports there is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.armytimes.com\/news\/your-army\/2020\/06\/04\/no-those-werent-active-duty-troops-on-the-streets-of-dc-last-night-officials-say\/\" target=_blank>no indication<\/a> they were brought into the district.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy told The Associated Press that he received notice of the Pentagon order to send home about 200 soldiers with the 82nd Airborne\u2019s immediate response force just after 10 a.m on Wednesday, around the time Esper was starting his news conference. After Esper attended the White House meeting, those plans were reversed, McCarthy said, adding that he believes the change was based on ensuring there is enough military support in the region to respond to any protest problems if needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The final broadside of the day came in the evening, when Trump\u2019s first defense secretary, Jim Mattis, finally broke his silence about the president in a letter <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theatlantic.com\/politics\/archive\/2020\/06\/james-mattis-denounces-trump-protests-militarization\/612640\/\">published by The Atlantic<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/news\/your-military\/2020\/06\/02\/trump-offers-domination-of-dc-protests-as-model-for-states\/\">Donald Trump<\/a> is the first president in my lifetime who does not try to unite the American people \u2014 does not even pretend to try,\u201d Mattis wrote. \u201cInstead he tries to divide us. &#8230; We are witnessing the consequences of three years of this deliberate effort.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mattis also offered implicit criticism of Esper, who served as Army secretary while Mattis was in office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNever did I dream that troops taking that same oath would be ordered under any circumstance to violate the Constitutional rights of their fellow citizens \u2014 much less provide a bizarre photo op for the elected commander-in-chief, with military leadership standing alongside,\u201d Mattis wrote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><i>Joe Gould in Washington and The Associated Press contributed to this report.<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Defense Secretary Mark Esper has reportedly angered President Trump and may be on thin ice with the 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By:"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.0 (Yoast SEO v28.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Under fire from all sides, Esper\u2019s next move may dictate his future - Defense News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Defense Secretary Mark Esper has reportedly angered President Trump and may be on thin ice with the administration.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/pentagon\/2020\/06\/04\/under-fire-from-all-sides-espers-next-move-may-dictate-his-future\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Under fire from all sides, Esper\u2019s next move may dictate his future\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Defense Secretary Mark Esper has reportedly angered President Trump and may be on thin ice with the administration.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/pentagon\/2020\/06\/04\/under-fire-from-all-sides-espers-next-move-may-dictate-his-future\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Defense News\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2020-06-04T15:59:30+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-08-08T00:39:12+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Aaron Mehta\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Aaron Mehta\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"7 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\n\t    \"@context\": 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