Mark Esper becomes new US defense secretary

Mark Esper has become the new defense secretary of the United States after receiving the confirmation by the Senate, according to media reports. He is the first Senate-confirmed official to the Pentagon’s top spot after nearly seven months. 

Esper had already been serving as Acting Defense Secretary since June 24. He handed those duties over to Navy Secretary Richard Spencer Monday afternoon once the White House made his nomination official. 

Esper served in the 101st Airborne Division and participated in the 1990-91 Gulf War with the “Screaming Eagles.” He later commanded a Rifle Company in the 3-325 Airborne Battalion Combat Team in Vicenza, Italy. Before being nominated as the Secretary of the Army in 2017, Dr. Esper was the Vice President for Government Relations at the Raytheon Company.

After the resignation of last defense secretary Jim Mattis following Mr. Trump's decision to withdraw troops from Syria, Patrick Shanahan was serving as Acting U.S. Secretary of Defense. Shanahan withdrew his name from consideration after reports of domestic violence incidents involving his family surfaced.