Acting U.S. Secretary Of Defense Shanahan Withdraws As Defense Secretary Nominee

Daily Mail: BREAKING NEWS: Trump FIRES acting Pentagon secretary Patrick Shanahan after defense chief revealed to have been accused of hitting wife in drunken row but claimed he was the victim

* President Trump said Patrick Shanahan decided not to go forward with confirmation
* Trump had yet to send the formal nomination of Acting Defense Secretary Pat Shanahan to the Senate
* Both Shanahan and wife Kimblerly told authorities the other had hit them in a dispute in 2010
* The counter claims are described in years of divorce filings
* Trump announced the nomination May 9
* The holdup was revealed amid increased tensions with Iran as the U.S. sends more troops to the region
* 2010 incident in Seattle ended up with the couple on front lawn of their home after police were called after both were drinking

President Donald Trump announced he is pulling the nomination of Acting Pentagon chief Patrick Shanahan – following revelations about years-old domestic violence claims involving Shanahan and his former wife.

'Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan, who has done a wonderful job, has decided not to go forward with his confirmation process so that he can devote more time to his family,' Trump wrote on Twitter Tuesday.

'I thank Pat for his outstanding service and will be naming Secretary of the Army, Mark Esper, to be the new Acting Secretary of Defense. I know Mark, and have no doubt he will do a fantastic job!' the president wrote.

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WNU Editor: Apparently this family affair involves a domestic violence dispute with his ex-wife which resulted in her arrest .... FBI examining 2010 domestic fight involving acting defense secretary Shanahan; accounts differ on aggressor (USA). Other reports are saying that the children do not want to revisit this dispute, a dispute that since it is now being reported, would have been brought up in the confirmation process and covered non-stop by the media. Sighhhh .... this is not how you want to end your career. I now understand why President Trump has delayed this process, and why he was asking allies a few weeks ago on who would they support as a Defense Secretary.

....I thank Pat for his outstanding service and will be naming Secretary of the Army, Mark Esper, to be the new Acting Secretary of Defense. I know Mark, and have no doubt he will do a fantastic job!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 18, 2019

More News On Acting U.S. Secreary Of Defense Shanahan Withdrawing As Defense Secretary Nominee

Read the full statement from acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan about a 2010 domestic case -- USA Today
Shanahan steps down to avoid ‘painful’ family situation -- AP
Shanahan drops out of contention to lead Pentagon, as Trump taps Army secretary -- FOX News
Shanahan withdraws from consideration to be U.S. defense secretary -- Reuters
Shanahan Withdraws as Defense Secretary Nominee -- The New York Times
As Trump’s defense pick withdraws, he addresses violent domestic incidents -- The Washington Post
Shanahan out: Acting defense secretary withdraws his confirmation bid amid family issues -- Military Times
Trump says Shanahan out of confirmation process to be defense secretary -- CNN
Trump says Shanahan out as Defense secretary nominee -- The Hill
Shanahan Steps Down as Acting Defense Secretary After Reports of FBI Investigation -- Military.com
Shanahan's defense secretary nomination collapses, leaving another void in Trump's Cabinet -- Politico
Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan steps down, withdraws from Cabinet consideration -- NBC
Patrick Shanahan: Trump says his choice for Pentagon chief is out -- BBC
Trump's pick for Pentagon chief has unexpectedly pulled his name out of the running and stepped down -- Business Insider
Trump announces acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan will step down -- Axios

Acting U.S. Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan Makes The Case For Why He Should Be Defense Secretary

Pat Shanahan believes he's set to be named Defense Secretary, but his reputation as the "Boeing guy" is hard to shake. | M. Scott Mahaskey/POLITICO

Politico: 'You have to know how to hit a curveball': Trump’s Pentagon choice fights to win over doubters

Pat Shanahan’s critics call him a weak link on the president's team but the acting defense secretary says he knows how to deal with the unexpected.

The knocks on President Donald Trump’s defense-secretary-in-waiting have been circulating for months behind closed doors in the Pentagon and on Capitol Hill.

Pat Shanahan is the "Boeing guy" who is still doing the bidding of his former employer, his critics inside and outside the administration say. He allows White House appointees, including National Security Adviser John Bolton, to directly contact lower Pentagon officials, according to current and former Defense Department officials who consider it a breach of the chain of command. He obsesses about his image — as shown in the all-black turtleneck ensemble he wore for a February visit to Afghanistan, which earned him mocking comparisons to a Bond villain or Keanu Reeves’ character from “The Matrix.”

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Previous Post: White House To Nominate Patrick Shanahan As U.S. Secretary of Defense (May 9, 2019)

WNU Editor: The White House has still not formally submitted his nomination to the US Senate for confirmation, raising doubts that President Trump is dedicated to having Patrick Shanahan his Secretary of Defense. My guess is that deep inside President Trump wants someone else, but the people he wants are not interested in the job.

Is President Trump Having Second Thoughts About Patrick Shanahan As Defense Secretary?

U.S. President Donald Trump (L) listens next to Acting U.S. Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan during a Cabinet meeting on day 12 of the partial U.S. government shutdown at the White House in Washington, U.S., January 2, 2019. REUTERS/Jim Young

NBC: Trump may be having second thoughts about Shanahan as defense secretary

While in Europe to commemorate D-Day, Trump asked at least 3 people if they had any suggestions for different candidates, four sources said.

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump appears to be having second thoughts about his choice of Patrick Shanahan as his next secretary of defense and asked several confidants in France last week about alternative candidates, according to four people familiar with the conversations.

The White House announced May 9 that Trump had decided to nominate Shanahan, who has served as acting defense secretary since January. But the White House has yet to formally submit Shanahan's nomination to the Senate.

While in Normandy, France, last week to commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-Day, Trump asked at least three people what they thought of Shanahan and if they had any suggestions for different candidates, the four people familiar with the conversations said.

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WNU Editor: He is committed to this nomination.

U.S. Acting Defense Secretary Shanahan: Calls Out China On Tech Theft And South China Sea

Reuters: U.S. won't 'tiptoe' around China with Asia stability at threat - defence chief

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - The United States will no longer “tiptoe” around Chinese behaviour in Asia, with stability in the region threatened on issues ranging from the South China Sea to Taiwan, acting U.S. Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan said on Saturday.

Shanahan did not directly name China when making accusations of “actors” destabilising the region, but went on to say the United States would not ignore Chinese behaviour, the latest in the exchange of acerbic remarks between the world’s two biggest economies. He added, however, he was keen to foster a military relationship with Beijing.

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More News On U.S. Acting Defense Secretary Shanahan's Speech Calling Out China On Tech Theft And South China Sea

Defense Chief Calls Out China on Tech Theft, South China Sea -- AP
Trump defense chief says US won't 'tiptoe' around Chinese behavior in Asia -- The Hill
US will not ignore China's behavior in South China Sea, acting defense secretary Shanahan says -- CNN
Acting US Defense Chief Criticizes China's Bad Behavior -- VOA
Shanahan: ‘We’re Not Going To Ignore Chinese Behavior’ -- Defense One
In major speech, Shanahan says China’s behavior must end -- Asia Times
Acting US Defense Secretary calls on Asian allies to boost arms spending -- CNBC

Acting U.S. Secretary of Defense Pat Shanahan Is In Asia For Talks With Allies On China

CNBC: Pentagon says US-China trade war won’t ‘spill over’ into military talks

* Acting Secretary of Defense Pat Shanahan downplays concerns that the U.S.-China trade war will further complicate defense discussions with Beijing.
* Shanahan, who is on an eight-day trip to Asia, says he will meet with his Chinese counterpart this week amid trade tensions between the world's two largest economies.
* "Trade runs a separate track, and we'll solve that. It is too important not to solve," Shanahan tells reporters traveling with him Wednesday. "I don't believe [it will] spill over into our dialogue and discussion on defense."

JAKARTA, Indonesia — Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan on Wednesday downplayed concerns that the U.S.-China trade war would further complicate defense discussions between Washington and Beijing.

“Trade runs a separate track, and we’ll solve that. It is too important not to solve,” Shanahan told reporters traveling with him. “I don’t believe [it will] spill over into our dialogue and discussion on defense.”

Shanahan, who embarked on an eight-day trip to Asia on Tuesday, said he would meet with his Chinese counterpart this week amid trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies. The meeting between Shanahan and Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe is expected to take place on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue defense summit in Singapore.

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More News On Acting U.S. Secretary of Defense Pat Shanahan In Asia

Pentagon chief in Asia for 'candid' talks on China expansion -- AFP
Defense secretary nominee focuses on China despite Mideast tensions -- Defense News/AP
Acting US Defense Secretary: China Still Top Priority -- VOA
Pentagon fears China’s growth in Middle East arms market -- Al-Monitor

U.S. Defense Chief: Iranian Threats 'Put On Hold'

RFE: Pentagon Chief Says Iranian Threats 'Put On Hold'

The United States' response to alleged Iranian threats has “put on hold” potential attacks by Iran, acting U.S. Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan has said.

"I think our steps were very prudent and we've put on hold the potential for attacks on Americans and that is what is extremely important,” Shanahan told reporters at the Pentagon on May 21.

He added that "the threat remains high and our job is to make sure that there is no miscalculation by the Iranians."

Later in the day, Shanahan, along with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Joseph Dunford, are set to brief U.S. lawmakers on Iran.

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WNU Editor: What threats is he talking about? They have still not clarified the original warnings/threats that started this crisis.

More News On U.S. Defense Chief Claiming That Iranian Threats Have Been 'Put On Hold'

Pentagon chief: Threat from Iran 'on hold' -- The Hill
Shanahan: Iranian threats 'on hold' thanks to U.S. actions -- Politico
Patrick Shanahan: Iranian threats against America ‘on hold’ -- Washington Examiner
Iranian threats 'put on hold', says US defence chief -- BBC
Iran 'threat' has diminished, says US defense secretary -- The Guardian
Iran Threat Has Been Put ‘On Hold,’ Acting Defense Chief Says -- The Wall Street Journal
Trump's Pentagon is patting itself on the back for putting a 'hold' on unexplained Iran threat -- Business Insider

White House To Nominate Patrick Shanahan As U.S. Secretary of Defense

CNBC: Trump picks acting Pentagon chief and former Boeing executive Patrick Shanahan to become next secretary of Defense

* President Donald Trump plans to nominate acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan to formally take over the top spot at the Pentagon, the president's spokeswoman said Thursday.
* Shanahan, a former longtime executive at the aerospace giant Boeing, needs Senate confirmation for the post most recently held by James Mattis.
* "Acting Secretary Shanahan has proven over the last several months that he is beyond qualified to lead the Department of Defense, and he will continue to do an excellent job," White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders wrote on Twitter.

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump plans to nominate acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan to formally take over the top spot at the Pentagon, the president's spokeswoman said Thursday.

Shanahan, a former longtime executive at aerospace giant Boeing, needs Senate confirmation for the post most recently held by James Mattis.

"Based upon his outstanding service to the Country and his demonstrated ability, President Trump intends to nominated Patrick M. Shanahan to be the Secretary of Defense," White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders wrote in a tweet.

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WNU Editor: His biggest Republican critic will support his nomination .... Graham to support Defense pick he previously declared his 'adversary' (The Hill).

More News On The White House Nominating Patrick Shanahan As U.S. Secretary of Defense

Trump to nominate Shanahan for top Pentagon post -- AP
Trump picks ex-Boeing executive Shanahan as defense secretary -- Reuters
Shanahan: Trump chooses a business manager for defense chief -- AFP
Trump taps Shanahan to be next Pentagon chief -- Politico
Trump to Nominate Patrick Shanahan as Pentagon Chief -- The New York Times
Trump to nominate Patrick M. Shanahan as defense secretary, White House says -- FOX News
Trump to nominate Shanahan as defense secretary -- CNN
Trump to nominate former Boeing executive Patrick Shanahan as secretary of defense -- NBC
Trump Nominates Patrick Shanahan to Run the Military After Historic Delay -- Time
Trump nominates Shanahan as Pentagon chief -- The Hill
Trump taps acting Pentagon chief Shanahan as defense secretary -- AFP
White House announces Trump will nominate Patrick Shanahan as Pentagon chief -- Washington Examiner

Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan Claims F-35 Fighter Jet Program 'F----d Up'

Deputy Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan speaks with CNN's Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr during the Reagan National Defense Forum at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif., Dec. 2, 2017. (DOD/U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Brigitte N. Brantley)

CNN: Trump's acting defense secretary called F-35 fighter jet program 'f----d up'

Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan told investigators from the Pentagon's Office of the Inspector General that he called the F-35 fighter jet program "f----d up," but made clear that he wasn't referring to the aircraft itself, which he said was "awesome," according to a Department of Defense report released Thursday.

Shanahan's comments were detailed as part of an ethics investigation by the Pentagon's Office of the Inspector General into allegations he was promoting the interests of his former employer, Boeing, and repeatedly disparaging the company's competitor, Lockheed Martin, which is the primary contractor for the F-35 fighter jet.

Ultimately, Shanahan was cleared of any wrongdoing as investigators determined his "comments about the F-35 program were substantive, related to the program's performance, and were consistent with comments about the F-35 program made by other senior Government officials."

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WNU Editor: It was former Defense Secretary Mattis that stepped in to clear Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan .... Jim Mattis shuts down allegations that Defense Secretary Pat Shanahan pulled strings for Boeing and called Lockheed Martin's F-35 'f---ed up' (Business Insider)

More News On Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan Claims That The F-35 Fighter Jet Program Is 'F----d Up'

IG Report: Shanahan Called F-35 Program, Not Plane, 'F-----d Up' -- Military.com
Trump's Acting Defense Chief Was Accused of Calling the F-35 'F-cked Up.' He Told Investigators It Was 'Awesome' -- Time
Pentagon Investigation Says Acting SecDef Shanahan Was Justifiably Critical Of The F-35 -- Warzone/The Drive

Pentagon Watchdog Clears Acting Defense Secretary Shanahan Of Ethics Violations

Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan, center, talks with El Paso Sector Chief Aaron Hull, right, at El Paso International airport after doing a Osprey aircraft tour of the U.S.-Mexico border, Feb. 23, 2019. Martinez Monsivais/Pool via Reuter

The Hill: Pentagon watchdog clears acting Defense chief of ethics violations

The Pentagon’s watchdog has cleared acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan of allegations he violated his ethics agreement by favoring his former employer Boeing while serving in government.

The inspector general’s finding clears the way for Shanahan to likely be nominated by President Trump to take the Defense secretary job permanently.

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Update: Pentagon watchdog clears acting defense secretary of favoring Boeing (ABC News)

WNU Editor: This now clears the path for President Trump to nominate Acting Defense Secretary Shanahan to be the Defense Secretary.

Report: President Trump To Nominate Acting U.S. Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan As Permanent Defense Secretary Next Week

U.S. President Donald Trump (L) listens next to Acting U.S. Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan during a Cabinet meeting on day 12 of the partial U.S. government shutdown at the White House in Washington, U.S., January 2, 2019. REUTERS/Jim Young

FOX News: Trump to nominate Shanahan as permanent defense secretary: sources

President Trump is expected to formally nominate Patrick M. Shanahan to be his permanent defense secretary as soon as next week, two administration officials tell Fox News. This, after an internal Pentagon investigation concluded that the acting defense secretary did not show any bias in favor of his former employer, aerospace giant Boeing.

Shanahan worked at Boeing for over 30 years before coming to the Pentagon as then-Defense Secretary Jim Mattis’s deputy at the start of the Trump administration.

Shanahan’s nomination had been held up by the White House since the Pentagon inspector general opened an investigation into Shanahan’s conduct following a report in Politico days after taking over for Mattis alleging Shanahan called Boeing-rival Lockheed Martin’s advanced F-35 program “f—ed up” and said the company didn’t know how to run a defense program following years of cost overruns and delays to the fifth-generation fighter jet.

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WNU Editor: He will be nominated after this report .... Pentagon inspector general report on Shanahan and Boeing expected next week (CNN).

Acting Defense Secretary Shanahan: 'China Is America's Biggest Threat'

FOX News: Acting Defense Secretary Shanahan says China is America's biggest threat, and southern border situation an 'emergency'

Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan said China is the No. 1 threat to U.S. security. He also spoke about America's immigration situation, saying that sending troops to the southern border is not an unprecedented mission.

In an exclusive interview with Fox News’ Bret Baier on Tuesday, Shanahan seemed to echo President Trump's sentiment that the biggest threat America faces is the modernization of China.

“China is a threat economically and diplomatically. I think it's time we address some of these issues -- militarization of the South China Sea, the Communist Chinese Party launching cyberattacks against the U.S., theft of intellectual property, and a significant expansion of military capability.”

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WNU Editor: I thought Russia was the biggest threat?

Patrick Shanahan Says ‘Of Course’ He Wants to Be U.S. Defense Secretary

U.S. President Donald Trump (L) listens next to Acting U.S. Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan during a Cabinet meeting on day 12 of the partial U.S. government shutdown at the White House in Washington, U.S., January 2, 2019. REUTERS/Jim Young

Defense One: EXCLUSIVE: Patrick Shanahan Says ‘Of Course’ He Wants to Be Defense Secretary

Under increasing scrutiny, the acting secretary — and his allies — make the case for President Trump to nominate him.

Patrick Shanahan, the acting defense secretary whose bid to formally replace Jim Mattis is in limbo, answers without hesitation when asked if he wants the job.

“Of course,” the Boeing executive-turned-Pentagon No. 2 said with a smile Tuesday, after a House Armed Services Committee hearing.

“I think I can serve the department well,” he said in a brief interview with Defense One. “I’ve spent nearly two years on the National Defense Strategy. I know the defense strategy, I know what it takes to see it though, and I think I can make a big impact in that area.”

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WNU Editor: If nominated he has to convince the US Senate, and I willing to bet that it will be a confirmation fight that he has a good chance of losing due to his close ties to Boeing, and his history of annoying Republican Senators .... Shanahan, Graham spar over troops withdrawal from Syria (NBC).

Who Will Be The Next U.S. Secretary Of Defense?

U.S. President Donald Trump (L) listens next to Acting U.S. Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan during a Cabinet meeting on day 12 of the partial U.S. government shutdown at the White House in Washington, U.S., January 2, 2019. REUTERS/Jim Young

Business Insider/Foreign Policy: The Pentagon's top job has been formally empty since Jim Mattis left, and things don't look good for his successor

* This week was expected to see Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan official nominated for the top spot at the Pentagon.
* But lawmakers grilled Shanahan, and remains unclear when the Pentagon will have a formal leader.

A good number of people in the defense community thought this would be the week that Patrick Shanahan finally escaped the dubious distinction of being America's longest-running acting secretary of defense. It was expected that President Donald Trump would officially nominate Shanahan to replace James Mattis as Pentagon chief on Friday.

Didn't happen. Even though there was a meeting at the Pentagon on Friday that featured the administration's national security heavyweights—Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, National Security Advisor John Bolton, as well as Shanahan and the president himself—more than two months after Mattis's last day, his formal successor remains a mystery.

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WNU Editor: It appears that Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan does not have much support in the US Senate .... something that he will need if he is to be confirmed as Secretary of Defense. So is it is not Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan, who will it be? I have no clue on who that may be.

Acting U.S. Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan Defends The Pentagon's $165 billion Wartime Budget

Task & Purpose: ‘There is no slush fund,’ Acting SecDef Shanahan says of $165 billion wartime budget (that mostly doesn't fund combat operations)

Sen. Elizabeth Warren accused the Pentagon of creating a "slush fund" by loading its wartime budget with nearly $100 billion that does not fund operations in Syria, Iraq, or Afghanistan.

The Pentagon's proposed $718 billion fiscal 2020 budget includes $165 billion for "overseas contingency operations," which is supposed to fund combat operations and is not subject to limits on defense spending that Congress imposed as part of the Budget Control Act of 2011.

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More News On Today's US Senate Testimony By Acting U.S. Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan

Senators sharply question Pentagon on budget ‘slush fund’ -- AP
Shanahan: Charging allies to house US troops, plus 50 percent surcharge, isn’t happening -- Defense News
Pentagon chief calls reports of charges to allies erroneous: 'We won't do cost plus 50' -- The Hill
Dear Allies: Pay ‘Fair Share,’ Says Shanahan — Not 50% Plus -- Breaking Defense
Shanahan grilled on Pentagon's border wall funding -- The Hill
Pentagon’s Shanahan Warns of China’s Growing Military Might -- Bloomberg
In testimony, Shanahan underlines it’s ‘China, China, China’ -- Defense News
Acting Defense secretary distances himself from Boeing controversy -- The Hill
Shanahan pitches Space Force in Senate testimony -- Space News
Pentagon chief Shanahan makes pitch for Space Force -- Washington Times

The Pentagon Chief And U.S. Lawmakers Do Not See 'Eye-To-Eye' On Syria

NBC: Pentagon chief briefing irks lawmakers, draws expletives from Sen. Lindsey Graham

The episode highlighted Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan's increasingly strained relationship with Capitol Hill two months after he replaced Jim Mattis.

Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan clashed with Sen. Lindsey Graham over the administration’s Syria policy during a briefing last weekend, prompting Graham to unleash a string of expletives and declare himself Shanahan's "adversary," according to two officials in the briefing and three others familiar with the conversation.

The contentious briefing on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference rankled the bipartisan group of lawmakers and cast doubt over Shanahan's chances of being confirmed if President Donald Trump nominates him to permanently lead the Pentagon, the officials said.

The episode highlighted Shanahan’s increasingly strained relationship with Capitol Hill two months after his predecessor, Jim Mattis, stepped down.

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WNU Editor: Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan is no Jim Mattis.

Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan Arrives Unannounced In Afghanistan

Daily Mail/AFP: Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan arrives unannounced in Afghanistan as the US pushes for peace talks with the Taliban to end 17-year conflict

* Acting Pentagon chief Patrick Shanahan arrived unannounced in Afghanistan
* He will meet president who has warned against rushing deal with the Taliban
* President Trump is pushing to end US involvement in Afghanistan

Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan arrived in Afghanistan on an unannounced visit today as the US pushes for peace talks with the Taliban.

The Pentagon chief will meet President Ashraf Ghani who has warned against rushing into a deal with the group after Washington held major talks in Qatar last month.

Negotiators hope the talks with Taliban officials could herald a breakthrough in the grinding 17-year conflict.

President Trump is pushing to end US involvement in Afghanistan, where 14,000 American troops are still deployed.

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More News On Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan Arriving Unannounced In Afghanistan

Acting Pentagon chief Pat Shanahan pays unannounced visit to Afghanistan -- CBS/AP
Patrick Shanahan, acting defense chief, makes surprise visit to Afghanistan -- Washington Times
Pentagon chief makes unannounced stop in Afghanistan -- The Hill
Acting Pentagon chief makes unannounced Afghanistan trip -- Al Jazeera
Acting Pentagon chief supports Kabul role in peace talks -- Reuters
U.S. Acting Defense Chief Backs Kabul Role In Peace Talks -- RFE
Pentagon Chief Assures Afghanistan of U.S. Support -- The Wall Street Journal
New Pentagon chief makes global debut with status uncertain -- AP
Acting US Defense Secretary makes surprise visit to Afghanistan, urges Kabul to join peace talks -- RT

Acting U.S. Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan: The $1 Trillion F-35 Is 'F-----' And Shouldn't Have Been Made

U.S. President Donald Trump (L) listens next to Acting U.S. Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan during a Cabinet meeting on day 12 of the partial U.S. government shutdown at the White House in Washington, U.S., January 2, 2019. REUTERS/Jim Young

Business Insider: Trump's new Pentagon chief reportedly said the $1 trillion F-35 is 'f-----' and shouldn't have been made

  * Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan, a former Boeing executive, has reportedly been railing against Lockheed Martin's F-35 in private meetings, Politico reported Wednesday.
  * At one point, he reportedly described the Joint Strike Fighter program as "f---ed up," arguing that Boeing could have done a better job.
  * Shanahan has signed a ethics agreement recusing himself from participating in matters involving his former company, a leading US defense contractor.

The new defense chief, a former Boeing employee, has reportedly been extremely critical Lockheed Martin's F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter in private meetings, raising questions about whether he is biased in overseeing the largest weapons program in history.

Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan, who took over in the wake of former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis' resignation, spent over 30 years at Boeing before he joined the Department of Defense in 2017 as the deputy secretary of defense.

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WNU Editor: The source for this remark is anonymous. What's my take. I hope it is true. The F-35 is over-budget and years late. People have to be held accountable for this screw-up, and none have been so far. As for those who oppose the Acting U.S. Secretary of Defense, the rumour mill is starting .... New Pentagon chief under scrutiny over perceived Boeing bias (Politico).

Acting U.S. Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan Focus Will Be On 'China, China, China'

Welcome back from the holidays, @DeptofDefense! In 2019, the National Defense Strategy remains our guide. America’s military strength remains our focus. pic.twitter.com/nm5wesx7et

— Acting SecDef Pat Shanahan (@DepSecDef) January 2, 2019

Daily Mail/AFP/AP/Reuters: Trump's new Pentagon chief says his priority is 'China, China, China' - after Beijing admiral says he could sink two U.S. aircraft carriers

* Patrick Shanahan started first full day as acting defense secretary by summoning military and civilian leaders to outline his priorities
* Told them his biggest concern was 'China, China, China' and that he was sticking to predecessor Jim Mattis' National Defense Strategy
* It highlights a new era of 'Great Power competition' with Russia and China
* Took office as Chinese admiral was revealed to have said that his country's military were capable of sinking U.S. aircraft carriers in south-east Asian waters

Patrick Shanahan, the acting defense secretary, started his first full day at the Pentagon's helm Wednesday by telling colleagues he sees China as a key priority.

Shanahan, who took the top spot January 1 after Jim Mattis resigned amid disagreements with President Donald Trump, told key Defense Department staff to focus on the National Defense Strategy, a broad review that highlights a new era of 'Great Power competition' with Russia and China.

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WNU Editor: His focus will be on Russia and China. Procurement and keeping costs down. And on the wars in the Middle East and Afghanistan.

More News On Acting U.S. Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan Alleged Remarks On China

Remember 'China, China, China': acting U.S. defense chief -- Reuters
Taking the reins at the Pentagon, the new defense chief sets his sights on China -- Business Insider/AP
‘China, China, China’: Trump’s new Pentagon chief Patrick Shanahan sets US defence priorities -- SCMP/AFP

Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan Is Now In Charge At The Pentagon

Trump meets with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan (right) in July.Leah Millis / Reuters

Uri Friedman, The Atlantic: America, Meet Your (Acting) Secretary of Defense

With no military experience and just a year and a half in government, the former Boeing executive Patrick Shanahan has yet to develop a foreign-policy vision of his own.

It hasn’t received much attention, what with Donald Trump suddenly declaring victory against ISIS, ordering U.S. troops out of Syria, and provoking James Mattis to resign in protest.

But the man who is now the president’s principal adviser on the nation’s defense, tasked with leading the largest employer in the world and managing the fallout from Trump’s military retrenchment, has less experience in government (a year and a half) or the military (none) than any defense secretary since an oil magnate served as the acting head of the Pentagon for several weeks during Watergate 45 years ago.

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WNU Editor: Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan is no James Mattis, but I am sure that he is going to do a competent job.

More News On Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan

New acting Defense secretary on first day: I look forward to carrying out Trump's vision at Pentagon -- The Hill
Acting Pentagon Chief Says He’ll Carry Out Trump’s Vision for the Military -- The Wall Street Journal
Trump's new acting Pentagon replacement for Mattis hails 'greatness of our nation' and name-checks commander in chief twice in statement hours after handoff -- Daily Mail
New Acting SecDef Shanahan Pledges to Carry Out Trump's Policy Agenda -- Military.com
Acting SECDEF Shanahan’s First Message to the Pentagon -- USNI News
Shanahan begins as Pentagon 'CEO': 'Doesn't have the moral and ethical constraints that Mattis has' -- Washington Times
Enter Patrick Shanahan: The Pentagon 'remains focused on safeguarding our nation' -- Washington Examiner

News And Analysis On The Incoming Acting U.S. Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan

The Hill: Five challenges awaiting Mattis's successor

Patrick Shanahan, who will become acting Defense secretary on Jan. 1, will immediately find himself with a full plate of challenges.

The issues that led to Defense Secretary James Mattis’s resignation — troop withdrawals from Syria and Afghanistan — will still be fresh, with several questions about what comes next for Shanahan to answer.

Other geopolitical hotspots and domestic issues alike threaten to flare up shortly after Shanahan takes the reins. And there’s always the possibility of something unexpected emerging from President Trump or a volatile world scene.

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News And Analysis On The Incoming Acting U.S. Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan

U.S. holds breath as ex-Boeing exec Shanahan, criticized for lack of foreign policy chops, takes Pentagon's reins -- AFP
During a time of chaos, the next Pentagon chief Patrick Shanahan brings his corporate style to America's largest bureaucracy -- CNBC
After Mattis, Shanahan takes Pentagon helm at critical time -- AFP
Who Is Mattis' Replacement, Patrick Shanahan? -- NPR
The Trouble With Patrick Shanahan -- John Nichols, The Nation
Replacing Mattis: 4 Things Trump Needs In His Next Secretary of Defense -- National Interest
Meet the Pentagon’s Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan, Known as a ‘Fix-It Guy’ -- Breitbart