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Esper Nominated as Defense Secretary, Spencer Now Acting Secretary

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Navy Secretary Richard V. Spencer has become acting defense secretary, as the Senate has received the packet nominating Dr. Mark T. Esper to be the confirmed secretary of defense.

Acting Defense Secretary Richard V. Spencer walks down an empty hallway.
Office Approach
Acting Defense Secretary Richard V. Spencer walks to his office at the Pentagon, July 15, 2019, following the announcement of the nomination of Army Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper to be defense secretary. Esper had been serving as acting defense secretary since June 24, 2019. Federal regulations require Esper to step down from that position during the review process.
Photo By: Army Sgt. Amber I. Smith, DOD
VIRIN: 190715-D-SV709-0014C

Eric Chewning, the chief of staff to the defense secretary, said the transition from Esper to Spencer went smoothly. 

"There is only one secretary of defense, and that person is fully capable of defending the country and protecting the homeland."
Eric Chewning, chief of staff to the defense secretary

Esper was named acting defense secretary when Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick M. Shanahan stepped down from the position last month. President Donald J. Trump nominated Esper for the position — a move that requires Senate confirmation. By law, Esper cannot continue to serve as acting secretary while he is under consideration for the permanent job. He reverts to his position as the secretary of the Army.

Acting Defense Secretary Richard V. Spencer walks through a doorway.
Acting Defense Secretary
Acting Defense Secretary Richard V. Spencer walks into his office at the Pentagon, July 15, 2019. Spencer became acting secretary following the announcement of the nomination of Army Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper to be defense secretary. Esper had been serving as acting defense secretary since June 24, 2019. Federal regulations require Esper to step down from that position during the review process.
Photo By: Army Sgt. Amber I. Smith, DOD
VIRIN: 190715-D-SV709-0018C

The principals involved in this program met this morning to discuss how the transition would happen. This included Esper; Spencer; David L. Norquist, the undersecretary of defense who continues to perform the duties of the deputy defense secretary; Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; and Chewning.

When Spencer became acting secretary, he assumed the full authority and responsibility of the secretary of defense. 

To ensure continuity, the team supporting the Office of the Secretary of Defense remains in place.

Acting Defense Secretary Richard V. Spencer's biography is displayed.
Office Display
Acting Defense Secretary Richard V. Spencer's biography is displayed by his office at the Pentagon, July 15, 2019. Spencer became acting secretary following the announcement of the nomination of Army Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper to be defense secretary. Esper had been serving as acting defense secretary since June 24, 2019. Federal regulations require Esper to step down from that position during the review process.
Photo By: Army Sgt. Amber I. Smith, DOD
VIRIN: 190715-D-SV709-0027C

"We've been working closely with Senate leadership and the Senate Armed Services Committee, and we thank them for their efforts and commitments to swiftly consider top DOD leadership," Chewning said.

DOD does not assume Esper's confirmation, and Chewning was quick to point out that it is the Senate's prerogative to take as long as it believes is necessary to examine and confirm the nominee. "Secretary Spencer is prepared to remain in the role until there is a Senate-confirmed secretary of defense," he said.

If Esper is confirmed by the Senate, then Norquist will be formally nominated to be the deputy defense secretary. In deference to the Senate, he will step out of his role of performing the duties of the deputy secretary of defense while that nomination is pending. If this happens, Spencer will then perform the duties of the deputy secretary.

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