US NBC "Esper Defense Secretary Preparing Resignation Letter"

Election Results Not Yet Out... Unusually Rapid Preparations
Work Also Underway to Rename Military Base Opposing Trump

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] On the 5th (local time), the US NBC News reported, citing senior officials within the Department of Defense, that Mark Esper, the US Secretary of Defense, is preparing a resignation letter. It is analyzed that he prepared the resignation letter amid growing prospects that the new administration will soon take office as President Donald Trump is increasingly likely to lose this election.

NBC News reported, "Cabinet members, especially the Secretary of Defense, usually prepare undated resignation letters, but they typically do so after the election results are clearly confirmed," noting that Secretary Esper's move is unusual.

NBC News also reported that Secretary Esper is assisting with the renaming of military bases named after Confederate generals from the 19th-century American Civil War, in accordance with the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) amendment. This was strongly opposed by President Trump.

Regarding the report, Jonathan Hoffman, spokesperson for the US Department of Defense, issued a statement saying, "Speculation about cabinet officials' resignations is a rumor that arises every election," emphasizing, "Secretary Esper continues to work at the Pentagon." On the issue of renaming military bases opposed by President Trump, he drew a line, stating, "The Department of Defense is cooperating with Congress on the defense-related legislative proposals coordinated by the US House and Senate."

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