Mark Esper reportedly out as defense secretary after fall election

President Donald Trump has reportedly decided to replace Defense Secretary Mark Esper after this fall’s election.

In response, the Pentagon released a statement that Esper serves “at the pleasure of the president.”

Esper angered Trump last month, according to The New York Times, by breaking publicly with him over whether active-duty military troops should be sent to control protests in American cities.

At the same time, Democrats are condemning Trump’s appointing of a staunch loyalist to a senior Pentagon job after it became clear that getting the retired general confirmed to a higher post would be difficult if not impossible.

Trump appointed retired Brig. Gen. Anthony Tata to a job performing the duties of the deputy undersecretary for defense policy, amid ongoing furor about offensive remarks Tata made, including about Islam. Last week the Senate canceled a hearing on Tata’s nomination to become defense undersecretary for policy, the third-highest civilian post at the Pentagon.

Tata, who also has been a Fox News commentator, withdrew his name from consideration for the undersecretary job over the weekend and was then appointed by Trump to serve in the deputy’s post.