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Defense Secretary Faces White House Pressure on Aides and a Military Promotion Defense Secretary Faces White House Pressure on Aides and a Military Promotion
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WASHINGTON — The Pentagon is facing a hemorrhage of talent as senior officials resign amid continued efforts by the White House to purge those perceived as political foes, including the Army lieutenant colonel who testified in the House impeachment hearings.WASHINGTON — The Pentagon is facing a hemorrhage of talent as senior officials resign amid continued efforts by the White House to purge those perceived as political foes, including the Army lieutenant colonel who testified in the House impeachment hearings.
The Army this week forwarded to Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper a list of hundreds of officers who are set to be promoted to the next rank, officials said on Thursday. Included on the list is Lt. Col. Alexander S. Vindman, a decorated combat veteran who served on the staff of the White House’s National Security Council, where he ran afoul of Mr. Trump after testifying against him in the House impeachment hearings. The challenge of managing White House pressures and concerns about morale inside the Pentagon confronts Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper, who is already in a precarious position with President Trump. Mr. Esper angered the president this month by breaking publicly with him over whether active-duty military troops should be sent to control the wave of protests in American cities.
The White House had made clear to officials in the Pentagon’s Office of Personnel and Readiness, which handles such staffing, that Mr. Trump did not want to see Colonel Vindman promoted, the officials said. In fact, when they saw an earlier draft version of the list two weeks ago, National Security Council staff members even told their Defense Department counterparts they had evidence of misconduct by Colonel Vindman. The issue is immediately on Mr. Esper’s agenda, after the Army this week forwarded him a list of hundreds of officers who are set to be promoted to the next rank, officials said on Thursday. Included on the list is Lt. Col. Alexander S. Vindman, a decorated combat veteran who served on the staff of the White House’s National Security Council, where he ran afoul of Mr. Trump after testifying against him in the House impeachment hearings.
The White House had made clear to officials in the Pentagon’s office of personnel and readiness, which handles such staffing, that Mr. Trump did not want to see Colonel Vindman promoted, the officials said. In fact, when they saw an earlier draft version of the list two weeks ago, National Security Council staff members even told their Defense Department counterparts they had evidence of misconduct by Colonel Vindman.
No such evidence materialized. Absent any reason other than Mr. Trump’s personal dislike of Colonel’s Vindman to deny his promotion, the Army kept his name on the list, and sent it back to Mr. Esper, putting the defense secretary exactly where he didn’t want to be: in the cross hairs of the commander in chief.No such evidence materialized. Absent any reason other than Mr. Trump’s personal dislike of Colonel’s Vindman to deny his promotion, the Army kept his name on the list, and sent it back to Mr. Esper, putting the defense secretary exactly where he didn’t want to be: in the cross hairs of the commander in chief.
Mr. Esper, Defense Department officials said, knows he is in a precarious position with Mr. Trump, after he angered the president this month by breaking publicly with him over whether active-duty military troops should be sent to control the wave of protests in American cities. It was the first time that the defense secretary had publicly disagreed with the president. Inside the Pentagon, senior officials are publicly illustrating their professional unhappiness by leaving their posts.
Senior Pentagon officials also are publicly illustrating their professional unhappiness by leaving their posts.
On Tuesday, the Defense Department’s top two technology officials, Michael D. Griffin and Lisa Porter, submitted their resignations, saying they had received better offers elsewhere.On Tuesday, the Defense Department’s top two technology officials, Michael D. Griffin and Lisa Porter, submitted their resignations, saying they had received better offers elsewhere.
And last week, two senior officials, Kathryn Wheelbarger, the top foreign policy official in the Pentagon and Elaine A. McCusker, the acting comptroller, both resigned after Mr. Trump withdrew their nominations to top posts. (Ms. Wheelbarger is known to be a close colleague of Jim Mattis, a former defense secretary who publicly criticized Mr. Trump’s actions during the protests. Ms. McCusker, for her part, questioned Mr. Trump’s decision to freeze military aid to Ukraine last year, which became a central question of his impeachment.)And last week, two senior officials, Kathryn Wheelbarger, the top foreign policy official in the Pentagon and Elaine A. McCusker, the acting comptroller, both resigned after Mr. Trump withdrew their nominations to top posts. (Ms. Wheelbarger is known to be a close colleague of Jim Mattis, a former defense secretary who publicly criticized Mr. Trump’s actions during the protests. Ms. McCusker, for her part, questioned Mr. Trump’s decision to freeze military aid to Ukraine last year, which became a central question of his impeachment.)
In all of the cases, Mr. Esper has toed the White House line, offering thanks for the officials’ service, but declining to defend them against the White House at a time when Mr. Trump has precipitated a standoff with the military over a number of issues, including whether to deploy active-duty troops against protesters or rename military bases that honor Confederate officers.In all of the cases, Mr. Esper has toed the White House line, offering thanks for the officials’ service, but declining to defend them against the White House at a time when Mr. Trump has precipitated a standoff with the military over a number of issues, including whether to deploy active-duty troops against protesters or rename military bases that honor Confederate officers.
At the same time, Mr. Trump’s nominee for the Pentagon’s top policy job, Anthony Tata, a retired Army brigadier general, is facing growing opposition over inflammatory posts on Twitter he made two years ago about Islam, former President Barack Obama and Democratic lawmakers.At the same time, Mr. Trump’s nominee for the Pentagon’s top policy job, Anthony Tata, a retired Army brigadier general, is facing growing opposition over inflammatory posts on Twitter he made two years ago about Islam, former President Barack Obama and Democratic lawmakers.
At least three senior retired officers have dropped their support for General Tata.At least three senior retired officers have dropped their support for General Tata.
Gen. Joseph L. Votel, the former head of the Central Command; Gen. Tony Thomas, the former head of the Special Operations Command; and Lt. Gen. David Deptula, a former top Air Force general, have asked that their names be removed from a letter sent by 35 former senior officials to the Senate Armed Services Committee in support of General Tata.Gen. Joseph L. Votel, the former head of the Central Command; Gen. Tony Thomas, the former head of the Special Operations Command; and Lt. Gen. David Deptula, a former top Air Force general, have asked that their names be removed from a letter sent by 35 former senior officials to the Senate Armed Services Committee in support of General Tata.
In a series of remarks on Twitter, General Tata called Islam “the most oppressive, violent religion” and referred to Mr. Obama as a “terrorist leader.” He has since apologized for the remarks, which were first reported by CNN.In a series of remarks on Twitter, General Tata called Islam “the most oppressive, violent religion” and referred to Mr. Obama as a “terrorist leader.” He has since apologized for the remarks, which were first reported by CNN.
General Tata would replace John Rood, who resigned at Mr. Trump’s request in February. Mr. Rood had pushed back on efforts to withhold military aid to Ukraine.General Tata would replace John Rood, who resigned at Mr. Trump’s request in February. Mr. Rood had pushed back on efforts to withhold military aid to Ukraine.
But the case of Colonel Vindman has drawn special attention inside the Pentagon and on Capitol Hill.But the case of Colonel Vindman has drawn special attention inside the Pentagon and on Capitol Hill.
For whatever independence other staffer members have shown, they were political appointees, and served at the pleasure of the president. Colonel Vindman, on the other hand, is an Army officer in a military that pledges to be apolitical. It is extremely unusual, Defense Department officials say, for a president to involve himself in staffing issues at that rank.For whatever independence other staffer members have shown, they were political appointees, and served at the pleasure of the president. Colonel Vindman, on the other hand, is an Army officer in a military that pledges to be apolitical. It is extremely unusual, Defense Department officials say, for a president to involve himself in staffing issues at that rank.
“Mark Esper is caught between a very irregular commander in chief and an institution that expects regular order,” said John Gans, a Pentagon speechwriter for former Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter. “At a certain point, Esper has to decide when enough of Trump’s degradation of the office of secretary of defense and the institution itself is enough.”“Mark Esper is caught between a very irregular commander in chief and an institution that expects regular order,” said John Gans, a Pentagon speechwriter for former Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter. “At a certain point, Esper has to decide when enough of Trump’s degradation of the office of secretary of defense and the institution itself is enough.”
One Defense Department official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss personnel matters, said Pentagon officials were seeking to stand firm by forwarding the promotion list with Colonel Vindman’s name still on it, and forcing the White House to take responsibility for any changes it might make before sending the list to the Senate for confirmation. Colonel Vindman is scheduled to attend the National War College in July.One Defense Department official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss personnel matters, said Pentagon officials were seeking to stand firm by forwarding the promotion list with Colonel Vindman’s name still on it, and forcing the White House to take responsibility for any changes it might make before sending the list to the Senate for confirmation. Colonel Vindman is scheduled to attend the National War College in July.
“We protect all of our persons, service members, from retribution or anything like that,” Mr. Esper told reporters this year.“We protect all of our persons, service members, from retribution or anything like that,” Mr. Esper told reporters this year.
Lisa Lawrence, a Pentagon spokeswoman, said in an email, without directly commenting on Colonel Vindman, “This list and any names on it have been and will be treated as is customary.”Lisa Lawrence, a Pentagon spokeswoman, said in an email, without directly commenting on Colonel Vindman, “This list and any names on it have been and will be treated as is customary.”
From the start of his term, Mr. Trump has had trouble with both the military and civilian hierarchy at the Pentagon, which likes to present itself as apolitical.From the start of his term, Mr. Trump has had trouble with both the military and civilian hierarchy at the Pentagon, which likes to present itself as apolitical.
Mr. Trump’s first defense secretary, Mr. Mattis, ran afoul of the president on a number of issues, from deploying troops to the southwest border to the withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal to Mr. Trump’s order to pull American troops out of Syria. The man Mr. Trump chose to replace Mr. Mattis, Patrick M. Shanahan, only lasted six months before resigning amid an F.B.I. investigation into incidents of family violence.Mr. Trump’s first defense secretary, Mr. Mattis, ran afoul of the president on a number of issues, from deploying troops to the southwest border to the withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal to Mr. Trump’s order to pull American troops out of Syria. The man Mr. Trump chose to replace Mr. Mattis, Patrick M. Shanahan, only lasted six months before resigning amid an F.B.I. investigation into incidents of family violence.
Last November, Mr. Trump fired his Navy Secretary, Richard V. Spencer, amid a dispute between the president and his own senior military leadership over the fate of a SEAL commando in a war crimes case.Last November, Mr. Trump fired his Navy Secretary, Richard V. Spencer, amid a dispute between the president and his own senior military leadership over the fate of a SEAL commando in a war crimes case.
In December, Randall Schriver, the assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific affairs, resigned. In January, Eric Chewning, Mr. Esper’s chief of staff, followed suit. In February, the president fired Mr. Rood, who was part of the Pentagon team that told Congress that Ukraine had made the necessary changes to justify sending the country $250 million in promised security assistance. The certification undermined a key argument that Mr. Trump’s defense team made during his impeachment battle: that Mr. Trump withheld the aid because he was concerned about corruption in Ukraine.In December, Randall Schriver, the assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific affairs, resigned. In January, Eric Chewning, Mr. Esper’s chief of staff, followed suit. In February, the president fired Mr. Rood, who was part of the Pentagon team that told Congress that Ukraine had made the necessary changes to justify sending the country $250 million in promised security assistance. The certification undermined a key argument that Mr. Trump’s defense team made during his impeachment battle: that Mr. Trump withheld the aid because he was concerned about corruption in Ukraine.
In April, the acting Navy secretary, Thomas B. Modly, resigned after his efforts to appease Mr. Trump resulted in a bungled Navy response to a coronavirus outbreak aboard the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt, engulfing the Navy in a command crisis and a public relations disaster.In April, the acting Navy secretary, Thomas B. Modly, resigned after his efforts to appease Mr. Trump resulted in a bungled Navy response to a coronavirus outbreak aboard the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt, engulfing the Navy in a command crisis and a public relations disaster.
And this month, the resignation of Ms. McCusker continued the fallout from the Ukraine affair — the same affair which has now brought Colonel Vindman to the possible edge of departure if his promotion falls through.And this month, the resignation of Ms. McCusker continued the fallout from the Ukraine affair — the same affair which has now brought Colonel Vindman to the possible edge of departure if his promotion falls through.
As the Pentagon wrestles with high-profile resignations in its front office, the sprawling bureaucracy is also contending with leadership failures in some of its smaller departments.As the Pentagon wrestles with high-profile resignations in its front office, the sprawling bureaucracy is also contending with leadership failures in some of its smaller departments.
Earlier this week, employees from the Defense Digital Service, a small Pentagon office that uses Silicon Valley technology on major military issues, sent an anonymous email to Mr. Esper highlighting longstanding issues within their office, where roughly 50 people work.Earlier this week, employees from the Defense Digital Service, a small Pentagon office that uses Silicon Valley technology on major military issues, sent an anonymous email to Mr. Esper highlighting longstanding issues within their office, where roughly 50 people work.
“Cultivated by both our director and deputy director, the toxic environment within D.D.S. has bubbled over,” the email, that was also sent to reporters, read. “This has resulted in a group of us consisting of minorities, both men and women of color Asian descent who feel silenced professionally and now morally.”“Cultivated by both our director and deputy director, the toxic environment within D.D.S. has bubbled over,” the email, that was also sent to reporters, read. “This has resulted in a group of us consisting of minorities, both men and women of color Asian descent who feel silenced professionally and now morally.”
Launched in 2015, the Defense Digital Service is helmed by Brett Goldstein, who was appointed to the job in 2019. He has been the subject of several internal complaints and has drawn scrutiny from lawmakers. Before the Pentagon, he helped develop the popular dining system OpenTable and was directly involved in creating predictive policing software.Launched in 2015, the Defense Digital Service is helmed by Brett Goldstein, who was appointed to the job in 2019. He has been the subject of several internal complaints and has drawn scrutiny from lawmakers. Before the Pentagon, he helped develop the popular dining system OpenTable and was directly involved in creating predictive policing software.