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The New York Times said Monday that Pentagon officials are not ruling out US President Donald Trump’s military operations against Iran or other opponents in his final days in power.
The US newspaper said Pentagon officials have expressed fear that Trump may launch military operations, overt or covert.
Trump said today that he has terminated the service of Defense Secretary Mark Esper, apparently using his last months in power after his defeat in the presidential election to clean up accounts within his administration.
“Mark Esper’s service has ended,” Trump said on Twitter Monday. “I am pleased to announce that Christopher Miller, director of the National Counterterrorism Center (whose appointment was approved unanimously by the Senate) and widely respected, will serve as acting secretary of defense effective immediately.”
This comes two days after the media announced that Trump was defeated by Democrat Joe Biden in the presidential election, while so far Trump has refused to admit defeat in the election.
… Chris will do a GREAT job! Mark Esper has been fired. I would like to thank you for your service.
– Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 9, 2020
Esper and Trump disagreed on a number of issues, and the president was particularly angered by Esper’s announcement of his opposition to Trump’s threat to use the military to quell street protests against racial injustice following the assassination of George Floyd. after police tried to arrest him in Minneapolis this summer.
Since then, Esper has been absent from the screens, her influence has waned, and she no longer gives interviews, contenting herself with prepared letters. Sources said Esper had long been preparing for the prospect of resignation or firing after the Nov.3 election, especially if Trump wins a second term.
There was no immediate comment from the Pentagon. But the New York Times said friends of the acting defense secretary praised his military training but expressed surprise at his promotion.
The US newspaper said that colleagues of the acting defense minister believe he does not have the capacity to respond to any extremist positions that may emanate from Trump.
On Saturday, major US media announced that Biden had won the presidential race for the White House against the outgoing Republican president, in the largest vote in the United States.
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Trump fires Defense Secretary Mark Esper, Pentagon officials are concerned
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