Trump\\\'s acting Pentagon chief Patrick Shanahan quits

The controversial acting secretary of US Department of Defense has quit amid the escalating tensions by the US in the Middle East.

Iran Press/America: US President Donald Trump announced on Twitter Tuesday that Patrick Shanahan has withdrawn from consideration for the post "so that he can devote more time to his family.”

A 2011 incident involving Shanahan’s son beating his mother with a baseball bat and fracturing her skull was earlier cited as a potential reason for the move.

Trump said: “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,” PressTV reported.

The US President (L) shaking hands with Patrick Shanahan (R)

The FBI has also launched an investigation into Shanahan and his ex-wife’s exchange of assault accusations in 2010.

Shanahan said it was "unfortunate that a painful and deeply personal family situation from long ago is being dredged up and painted in an incomplete and therefore misleading way."

He added that he does not want his children "to relive a traumatic chapter in our family's life and reopen wounds we have worked years to heal."

 

New Secretary of the Army, Mark Esper

 

The announcement came at a time that the US was escalating tensions in the Middle East by stepping up threats against Iran, including a Tuesday announcement about the deployment of 1,000 additional troops to the region.

Army Secretary Mark Esper was appointed to oversee the Pentagon. 101/214

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Another Trump's top adviser quits

 

Trump\\\
The US President (L) shaking hands with Patrick Shanahan (R)
New Secretary of the Army, Mark Esper