U.S President Trump announced on Twitter Monday that he has terminated Secretary of Defense Mark Esper. The decision was made 2 days after Democrat candidate Joe Biden was proclaimed as the projected winner in the 2020 Presidential Election. Esper’s termination has raised concerns that other top security officials maybe fired next. Allegedly, this move made it clear that Trump little interest in a smooth transition of office. Meanwhile, the Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, Christopher C. Miller, will be the Acting Secretary of Defense, effective immediately.
CNN: Esper’s firing has raised concerns that other top national security officials who have earned Trump’s wrath may be next in the line of fire
The President ditched Esper two days after his Democratic opponent Joe Biden was projected as the winner of the presidential election, a conclusion that Trump has refused to accept, CNN reports.
Esper’s firing has raised concerns that other top national security officials who have earned Trump’s wrath may be next in the line of fire.
According to some officials, Trump and some of his conservative allies have become increasingly frustrated with CIA Director Gina Haspel in recent weeks, accusing her of delaying the release of documents they believe would expose so-called “deep state” plots against Trump’s campaign and transition during the Obama administration.
Trump and his allies have also sharply criticized FBI Director Christopher Wray over his failure to produce information that they claim would be harmful to the President’s political enemies, including Biden.
TIME: With Esper’s firing, the President has made clear he has little interest in a smooth transition.
According to Time, the President has been complaining about Esper for months, but his abrupt ouster drew immediate concern from Democrats and Republicans alike worried what other destabilizing maneuvers Trump might make before leaving the White House in January. Washington collectively held its breath to see if Trump would fire other high-ranking officials he’s frustrated with, including FBI Director Christopher Wray, CIA Director Gina Haspel and Attorney General William Barr.
Now, with Esper’s firing, the President has made clear he has little interest in a smooth transition. Instead, it appears Trump Administration officials may not start talking to their successors until every last effort made by their boss to stay in power through litigation is expended.
