Congressional Leaders Break From Trump on Esper’s Firing – By Paul D. Shinkman (US News) / Nov 9 2020
The lame duck president has endangered U.S. national security with his ‘childish’ decision, Democrats said, while even Republican leaders praised Esper’s track record as Pentagon chief.
A BIPARTISAN CONTINGENT of lawmakers overseeing defense matters expressed support for ousted Defense Secretary Mark Esper shortly after he was unceremoniously fired by President Donald Trump, with some Democrats saying the surprise decision is “childish,” “volatile” and endangers American national security.
“Dismissing politically appointed national security leaders during a transition is a destabilizing move that will only embolden our adversaries and put our country at greater risk,” Rep Adam Smith, chairman of the powerful House Armed Services Committee, said in a statement. “It has long been clear that President Trump cares about loyalty above all else, often at the expense of competence, and during a period of presidential transition competence in government is of the utmost importance.”
“Unique threats” emerge during the transition period between presidencies, the Washington Democrat said, adding that until President-elect Joe Biden is sworn in, “it is imperative that the Pentagon remain under stable, experienced leadership.”
Though rumors circulated that Trump planned to fire Esper, his announcement via tweet came as a surprise on Monday. It was not immediately clear why the lame-duck president would make the provocative move, though it likely stemmed from Esper’s public condemnation of Trump’s attempts to wield active-duty armed forces against American protesters last summer.
