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).
