Mark Esper

Mark Esper
27th United States Secretary of Defense
In office
July 23, 2019 – November 9, 2020
PresidentDonald Trump
DeputyRichard V. Spencer (acting)
David Norquist
Preceded byJames Mattis
Succeeded byLloyd Austin
In office
Acting: June 24, 2019 – July 15, 2019
PresidentDonald Trump
DeputyDavid Norquist (acting)
Preceded byPatrick M. Shanahan (acting)
Succeeded byRichard V. Spencer (acting)
23rd United States Secretary of the Army
In office
November 20, 2017 – July 23, 2019
PresidentDonald Trump
DeputyRyan McCarthy
Preceded byRyan McCarthy (acting)
Succeeded byRyan McCarthy
Personal details
Born
Mark Thomas Esper

(1964-04-26) April 26, 1964 (age 60)
Uniontown, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Leah Lacy (1989–present)
Children3
EducationUnited States Military Academy (BS)
Harvard University (MPA)
George Washington University (PhD)
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Army
Years of service1986–2007
Rank Lieutenant Colonel
Unit 101st Airborne Division
Virginia Army National Guard
D.C. Army National Guard
 U.S. Army Reserve
Battles/warsGulf 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.

Mark Thomas Esper (born April 26, 1964) is an American lobbyist and former government administrator for the United States Department of Defense. Esper was the 27th United States Secretary of Defense from July 2019 until November 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]

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]

References

  1. ↑ O'Brien, Connor (July 19, 2017). "Trump taps Raytheon VP as Army secretary". Politico.
  2. ↑ McIntyre, Jamie (July 19, 2017). "Exclusive: Trump to nominate Mark Esper as Army secretary". Washington Examiner.
  3. ↑ Gibbons-Neff, Thomas; Jaffe, Greg (July 19, 2017). "Trump to nominate Raytheon lobbyist for next Army secretary". Washington Post.
  4. ↑ @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) – via Twitter.
  5. ↑ Cooper, Helene (June 21, 2019). "Trump Nominates Mark Esper as Next Defense Secretary". The New York Times. Retrieved June 22, 2019.
  6. ↑ "U.S. Senate: U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 116th Congress - 1st Session". www.senate.gov.
  7. ↑ 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.
  8. ↑ https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1325859406349799424