트럼프, 대선 패배 이틀 만에 '눈엣가시' 국방장관 전격 경질
After months of speculation, U.S. President Donald Trump has fired Defense Secretary Mark Esper.
In his place, Trump has appointed Christopher Miller, the director of the National Counterterrorism Center.
Hong Yoo has more.
“Mark Esper has been terminated."
That was the tweet on Monday from U.S. President Donald Trump that sealed Esper's fate.
He added he was appointing Christopher Miller, the director of the National Counterterrorism Center, as his acting Defense Secretary.
The move comes two days after President Trump was projected to have lost his reelection bid to Joe Biden, leaving him with a little over two months left in office.
Speculation has been swirling since June that Esper could lose his job for opposing President Trump over his decision to deploy military troops in Washington D.C. to quell rowdy demonstrations against police brutality.
Officials have said Esper knew he was on the brink of being fired and had pre-written a resignation letter weeks ago.
Before this encounter, Trump is known to have given Esper the nickname “Yesper” due to his tendency to always side with his decisions.
Shortly after President Trump’s tweet, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi released a statement saying Esper's abrupt firing is evidence Trump is “intent on using his final days in office to sow chaos”.
Trump, who has not conceded the U.S. presidential election, continues to make accusations of voter fraud.
Opinions vary among Republicans, but Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell during his floor speech on Monday sided with Trump, saying that it is within his rights to look into allegations of irregularities.
Meanwhile, U.S. media outlets say Pentagon officials are concerned about Trump beginning a new operation against his adversaries such as Iran during the remainder of his term.
Hong Yoo, Arirang News.