Trump Fires Mark Esper, Does Not Let The Minister Of Defense Gracefully Leave Through Resignation

Mark Esper (Instagram / @ esperdod)

JAKARTA - President of the United States (US) Donald Trump announced that he had fired US Defense Secretary Mark Esper. Trump also said Christopher Miller, who serves as director of the National Counterterrorism Center, would be Esper's immediate replacement.

Trump fired Esper two days after his Democratic opponent Joe Biden was projected the winner of the presidential election. A result that Trump still rejects. Esper has actually prepared a resignation letter as a graceful exit, though she also has predicted Trump will thwart that pretty attempt.

Just right. Trump fired Esper instead of processing his resignation. Esper's dismissal raises other top national security official concerns. The thing that angered Trump. And the sources of that anger will probably be the next target of fire. Esper and Trump are not known to have a good relationship.

Trump and some of his conservative allies have grown increasingly frustrated with CIA Director Gina Haspel in recent weeks. They accused Haspel of delaying the release of documents they believed would expose the so-called "state" plot to Trump's campaign and transition during the Obama administration, according to several current and past officials.

Haspel refused, arguing that disclosing the classification of the document would jeopardize US national security by revealing important sources and methods.

In recent months, Trump and his allies have also sharply criticized FBI Director Christopher Wray for failing to produce information they claim would be dangerous to the President's political enemies, including Biden. The prospect that Trump could fire Wray has loomed over the FBI for weeks.

Shortly before Trump announced Esper's dismissal, President Mark Meadows's chief of staff called Esper to say he would be fired and replaced. Esper responded to Trump in a letter that read, "I serve the country with respect to the Constitution, so I accept your decision to replace me."

"I step aside knowing much we have accomplished in the Department of Defense over the past eighteen months to protect the nation and increase the preparedness, capability and professionalism of the joint force, while fundamentally transforming and preparing the military for the future," Esper said.

Following Esper's dismissal, Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley, held a video teleconference with joint heads and commanders of combatants around the world. Those officials will now call on their counterparts abroad to assure them that the US military mission continues and to assure them that the Pentagon maintains stability of its military around the world.

Christopher Miller, who will replace Esper's position, has been the driving force behind several Trump policies targeting Iran and the proxy group Hezbollah, as well as counterterrorism efforts linked to the wars in Syria and Iraq. Prior to chairing the NCTC, Miller was the counterterrorism director at the National Security Council.

A native of Iowa and retired US Army officer, Miller also served as deputy assistant secretary of defense. Miller is seen arriving at the Pentagon and, soon after, meeting with Milley and other staff for critical briefing on issues such as the nuclear code and military operations around the world. Miller told officials not to expect significant changes at this time.