Mark Esper
Mark Thomas Esper (born April 26, 1964) is an American lobbyist and former government administrator for the United States Department of Defense. Esper is the 27th and current United States Secretary of Defense since July 2019. He was the 23rd United States Secretary of the Army from November 2017 until July 2019. He served as Vice President of government relations at Raytheon.[1]
Mark Esper | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 27th United States Secretary of Defense | |
| In office July 23, 2019 – November 9, 2020 | |
| President | Donald Trump |
| Deputy | Richard V. Spencer (acting) David Norquist |
| Preceded by | James Mattis |
| Succeeded by | Lloyd Austin |
| In office Acting: June 24, 2019 – July 15, 2019 | |
| President | Donald Trump |
| Deputy | David Norquist (acting) |
| Preceded by | Patrick M. Shanahan (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Richard V. Spencer (acting) |
| 23rd United States Secretary of the Army | |
| In office November 20, 2017 – July 23, 2019 | |
| President | Donald Trump |
| Deputy | Ryan McCarthy |
| Preceded by | Ryan McCarthy (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Ryan McCarthy |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Mark Thomas Esper April 26, 1964 Uniontown, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Leah Lacy (1989–present) |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | United States Military Academy (BS) Harvard University (MPA) George Washington University (PhD) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1986–2007 |
| Rank |  Lieutenant Colonel |
| Unit |  101st Airborne Division Virginia Army National Guard D.C. Army National Guard U.S. Army Reserve |
| Battles/wars | Gulf War |
| Awards |  Legion of Merit Bronze Star Combat Infantryman Badge DoD Medal for Distinguished Public Service |
| * McCarthy served in an acting capacity from June 24, 2019 – July 15, 2019, while Esper served as acting secretary of defense. | |
Esper studied at United States Military Academy, Harvard University and at George Washington University.
On July 19, 2017, it was announced that President Donald Trump had the intention of nominating Esper to become U.S. Secretary of the Army.[2] He is Trump's third nominee for the position, following the withdrawals of Vincent Viola and Mark E. Green.[3] He was confirmed by the Senate on November 15, 2017. He resigned on June 24, 2019 to become acting Defense Secretary.
President Donald Trump announced on June 18, 2019, that Esper would become acting Secretary of Defense.[4] Three days later, Trump nominated Esper to serve the job full time.[5] On July 23, 2019, his nomination was confirmed by a vote of 90–8.[6]
On November 5, 2020, shortly after the 2020 presidential election, it was reported that Esper had prepared a letter of resignation from his position as Secretary of Defense.[7] He was fired by President Trump four days later on November 9.[8]
Mark Esper Media
Washington, DC, USA: Photo by ian Wagreich / © U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Esper championed the return of the Army's iconic "pinks and greens" uniform from World War II as a way to increase morale and pride in the service.
Esper, with his wife Leah, is sworn in as Secretary of Defense by Justice Samuel Alito on July 23, 2019.
Esper hosts Saudi prince Khalid bin Salman at the Pentagon, August 29, 2019
Esper inspects troops alongside Vietnamese defense minister Ngô Xuân Lịch in Hanoi, November 20, 2019
Esper (far right), President Donald Trump, and Polish president Andrzej Duda at the White House on June 24, 2020.
Esper with Turkish defense minister Hulusi Akar at NATO headquarters in Brussels, June 2019
Esper visits FEMA headquarters in Washington, D.C., during the COVID-19 pandemic, April 15, 2020
President Trump walking with an entourage to St. John's Episcopal Church for a photo op. Esper is pictured directly behind Trump.
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References
- ↑ O'Brien, Connor (July 19, 2017). "Trump taps Raytheon VP as Army secretary". Politico. http://www.politico.com/story/2017/07/19/raytheon-mark-esper-trump-army-secretary-240721.
- ↑ McIntyre, Jamie (July 19, 2017). "Exclusive: Trump to nominate Mark Esper as Army secretary" (in en). Washington Examiner. http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/exclusive-trump-to-nominate-mark-esper-as-army-secretary/article/2629074.
- ↑ Gibbons-Neff, Thomas; Jaffe, Greg (July 19, 2017). Trump to nominate Raytheon lobbyist for next Army secretary. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2017/07/19/trump-to-nominate-raytheon-lobbyist-for-next-army-secretary/?utm_term=.bc0f1dbf9672.
- ↑ realDonaldTrump (June 18, 2019). "....I thank Pat for his outstanding service and will be naming Secretary of the Army, Mark Esper, to be the new Acting Secretary of Defense. I know Mark, and have no doubt he will do a fantastic job!" (Tweet).
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help) - ↑ Cooper, Helene (June 21, 2019). "Trump Nominates Mark Esper as Next Defense Secretary". The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/21/us/politics/mark-esper-defense-secretary-nomination.html. Retrieved June 22, 2019.
- ↑ "U.S. Senate: U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 116th Congress - 1st Session". www.senate.gov.
- ↑ Kube, Courtney; Lee, Carol E. (November 6, 2020). "Long at odds with Trump, Defense Secretary Esper has prepared a resignation letter, say officials". NBC News. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
- ↑ https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1325859406349799424
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