Trump Remakes Pentagon’s Leadership as Critics See Crisis
- Anderson had been in role since June; Esper was fired Monday
- Trump allies Tata, Cohen-Watnick poised to take acting roles
James Anderson
Photographer: Al Drago/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
A flurry of changes in the Pentagon’s top ranks is underway as President Donald Trump elevates long-time allies in moves that critics say sends a signal of turmoil in the leadership of the U.S. military just after a contentious election.
A day after Trump fired Pentagon chief Mark Esper by tweet, two senior officials stepped down on Tuesday as did Esper’s former chief of staff. James Anderson, the acting deputy under secretary of defense for policy, didn’t give a reason for his departure in a resignation letter to the president, but praised policies put in place during the Trump administration. He had been in his current post only since June.