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President Donald Trump has fired Defense Secretary Esper days after news outlets projected Trump would not win reelection.
Trump on Monday announced via Twitter that he has named Christopher C. Miller, the current director of the National Counterterrorism Center, to replace Esper.
“I am pleased to announce that Christopher C. Miller, the highly respected Director of the National Counterterrorism Center (unanimously confirmed by the Senate), will be Acting Secretary of Defense, effective immediately,” Trump said. “Chris will do a GREAT job! Mark Esper has been terminated. I would like to thank him for his service.”
Esper, who was seen as having fallen out of favor with Trump, was widely expected to be replaced following the election, regardless of its outcome.
This story is developing.
— Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214.
