Trump says his choice for Pentagon chief is out

Trump says his choice for Pentagon chief is out
# 18 June 2019 22:33 (UTC +04:00)

US President Donald Trump has announced his choice for defense secretary has withdrawn, shaking up the Pentagon at a time of rising Middle East tensions, APA reports citing BBC

He tweeted that Patrick Shanahan has pulled out of consideration "so that he can devote more time to his family".

Mr Shanahan, who will be replaced by Army Secretary Mark Esper, had not yet been nominated for the cabinet post.

It comes as Mr Shanahan publicly addressed allegations of domestic violence.

Earlier on Tuesday, USA Today reported the FBI was investigating a 2010 incident in which Mr Shanahan and his ex-wife accused each other of assault.

Minutes after Mr Trump's announcement, the Washington Post published an interview with Mr Shanahan in which he discussed a 2011 incident when his son, then 17, reportedly beat his mother with a baseball bat fracturing her skull.

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