Mark T. Esper

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Ousted Navy Secretary Richard Spencer publicly clashed with President Trump over whether Chief Petty Officer Edward Gallagher, who served eight combat tours during his two decades as a Navy SEAL, would be allowed to retain his Trident pin, which symbolizes membership in the elite unit. (Associated Press/File)

Richard Spencer out as Navy secretary

By Ben Wolfgang - The Washington Times

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos speaks at the the Amazon re:MARS convention, Thursday, June 6, 2019, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Amazon JEDI lawsuit threatens to ensnare Donald Trump

By Ben Wolfgang - The Washington Times

Former National Security Council Director for European Affairs Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, center, leaves after reviewing his testimony from a closed-door interview on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019, in the impeachment inquiry on President Donald Trump's efforts to press Ukraine to investigate his political rival, Joe Biden. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) **FILE**

Pentagon chief Esper: Vindman should not face retaliation in impeachment fight

By Mike Glenn - The Washington Times

Despite President Trump's efforts to pull American forces from a "forever war" in Syria, Pentagon leaders said the mission to protect vital oil fields from ISIS has expanded and now includes a directive to keep anyone — including the Russian military and Syrian dictator Bashar Assad's forces — away from the energy reserves. (Associated Press file photo)

U.S. to block Russian, Syrian military forces from vast oil fields

By Ben Wolfgang and Mike Glenn - The Washington Times

Visiting U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper, right, shakes hands with Iraqi Defense Minister Najah al-Shammari, left, during a welcome ceremony at the Ministry of Defense, Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019. Esper has arrived in Baghdad on a visit aimed at working out details about the future of American troops that are withdrawing from Syria to neighboring Iraq. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)

Mark Esper has sharp words for Turkey over Syria invasion

By Lolita C. Baldor - Associated Press

U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper, center, walks Gen. Scott Miller, right, chief of the U.S.-led coalition in Afghanistan, at the U.S. military headquarters in Kabul, Afghanistan, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019. Esper arrived Sunday in Afghanistan, where stalled peace talks with the Taliban and persistent violent attacks by the insurgent group and Islamic State militants have complicated the Trump administration’s pledge to withdraw more than 5,000 American troops. He told reporters traveling with him that he believes the U.S. can reduce its force in Afghanistan without hurting the counterterrorism fight against al-Qaida and the Islamic State group. (AP Photo/Lolita C. Balbor) **FILE**

Mark Esper: U.S. troops pulled from Syria headed to Iraq

By Lolita C. Baldor - Associated Press

People standing on a rooftop in Akcakale, Sanliurfa province, southeastern Turkey, at the border with Syria, watch as in the background smoke billows from fires caused by Turkish bombardment in Tal Abyad, Syria, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019. Turkey's official Anadolu news agency says Turkey-backed Syrian forces have advanced into the center of a Syrian border town, Tal Abyad, on the fifth day of the Turkey's military offensive against Kurdish fighters in Syria. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)

Kurds eye Syria, Russia alliance as Turkey military advances

By Ben Wolfgang - The Washington Times

President Donald Trump, joined by from left, Gen. David Berger, Defense Secretary Mark Esper, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley, and Gen. Joseph M. Martin, pauses as he speaks to media during a briefing with senior military leaders in the Cabinet Room at the White House in Washington, Monday, Oct. 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

House Democrats hit Pentagon commanders as too white, too male

By Lauren Toms - The Washington Times

U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper delivers a speech during a press conference with French Defense Minister Florence Parly in Paris, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

Pentagon requires ‘constant vigilance’ to protect democratic process from attack: Defense secretary

By Andrew Blake - The Washington Times

U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper briefs the media at a press conference following annual bilateral ministerial talks in Sydney, Australia, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2019. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

Mark Esper referees Pentagon JEDI war cloud deal after Trump Amazon attack

By Ben Wolfgang - The Washington Times

President Donald Trump, left, sits with Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, during a full honors welcoming ceremony for Esper at the Pentagon, Thursday, July 25, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Donald Trump praises Defense Secretary Mark Esper at Pentagon welcome ceremony

By Ben Wolfgang - The Washington Times

Esper

Mark Esper welcomes allies to protect ships traveling in Middle Eastern waterways from Iran

By Lauren Toms - The Washington Times

President Donald Trump looks to Secretary of Defense Mark Esper during a ceremony in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, Tuesday, July 23, 2019. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Mark Esper on Iran interference: Allies working together to protect Gulf waterways

By Lauren Toms - The Washington Times

Secretary of the Army and Secretary of Defense nominee Mark Esper gets a hug from his daughter Kate Esper, as his Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing concludes on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, July 16, 2019. Esper's wife Leah Esper, back right, and son John Esper, watch. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Mark Esper confirmed by Senate as defense secretary

By Lauren Toms - The Washington Times

Secretary of the Army and Secretary of Defense nominee Mark Esper testifies before a Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, July 16, 2019. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Mark Esper, defense secretary nominee, says DOD confident in security of 2020 election

By Andrew Blake - The Washington Times

Secretary of Defense nominee Mark T. Esper, who spent nearly seven years as a Raytheon executive, appears to be on the fast track to replacing James Mattis. (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Mark Esper seen as on the fast track to secretary of defense position

By Lauren Toms - The Washington Times

Mark T. Esper, who became acting defense secretary two weeks ago, will have to step down while he goes through the Senate confirmation process for a permanent position, meaning the Pentagon will have a fourth leader since the end of December. (Associated Press/File)

Mark Esper, acting defense secretary, to make way for Pentagon’s fourth leader in six months

By Lauren Toms, Ben Wolfgang and Lauren Meier - The Washington Times

President Donald Trump salutes during a review of troops during a State Arrival Ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, April 24, 2018. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) ** FILE **

Donald Trump warns Iran of ‘obliteration’ over any more attacks on U.S. military

By Ben Wolfgang and Dave Boyer - The Washington Times

In this April 15, 2019, file photo, Secretary of the Army Mark Esper speaks to soldiers and family members in Ft. Bragg, N.C. It’s a difficult time for the Pentagon to be without a permanent U.S. defense secretary. Amid all that, and more, acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan stepped down this week and Esper, the man tapped to replace him on an interim basis appears to face legal hurdles that could initially prevent him from serving more than about six more weeks. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton, File) **FILE**

Mark Esper, Secretary of the Army, to be named by Trump to Defense Secretary

By Ben Wolfgang - The Washington Times

Secretary of the Army Mark Esper speaks to soldiers and family members in Ft. Bragg, N.C., Monday, April 15, 2019. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton) ** FILE **

Mark Esper tapped to replace Patrick Shanahan at Pentagon

By Lauren Toms, Ben Wolfgang and Lauren Meier - The Washington Times