US President Trump wants to permanently appoint acting Secretary of Defense Shanahan for this post. This announced the White House. Shanahan has held the office so far only temporarily.
The so far only acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan is to take over the post according to the will of President Donald Trump the post permanently. Trump wants to nominate the 56-year-old for the head of the Pentagon for his „outstanding service in the country and his proven leadership qualities,“ the White House said. Shanahan is more than qualified for the post and will continue to do an excellent job, said Trump’s spokeswoman Sarah Sanders.
The Senate must agree with the staff.
Former Boeing manager
After the announcement of the White House, Shanahan said he was honored. Among other things, he wanted to continue the modernization of the US military.
Trump has repeatedly praised Shanahan, referring to his managerial qualities. The former Boeing manager has been provisionally heading the Department of Defense for four months.
Since 2017, Shanahan had been first vice-minister of defense. At that time he had no military experience, no political ones either. He himself said at the time of his move to the Pentagon, „It’s like separating from your girlfriend after many years and then meeting the love of his life.“
Predecessor Jim Mattis resigned in December for disagreeing with Trump’s course in Syria. At that time, the president had announced the complete withdrawal of the US soldiers from the civil war country – an announcement, which he has since relativized.
