Mark Esper | |
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27th United States Secretary of Defense | |
In office July 23, 2019 – November 9, 2020 | |
President | Donald Trump |
Deputy | Richard V. Spencer (acting) David Norquist |
Preceded by | James Mattis |
Succeeded by | Lloyd Austin |
In office Acting: June 24, 2019 – July 15, 2019 | |
President | Donald Trump |
Deputy | David Norquist (acting) |
Preceded by | Patrick M. Shanahan (acting) |
Succeeded by | Richard V. Spencer (acting) |
23rd United States Secretary of the Army | |
In office November 20, 2017 – July 23, 2019 | |
President | Donald Trump |
Deputy | Ryan McCarthy |
Preceded by | Ryan McCarthy (acting) |
Succeeded by | Ryan McCarthy |
Personal details | |
Born | Mark Thomas Esper April 26, 1964 Uniontown, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
Political party | Republican |
Spouse(s) | Leah Lacy (1989–present) |
Children | 3 |
Education | United States Military Academy (BS) Harvard University (MPA) George Washington University (PhD) |
Military service | |
Allegiance | ![]() |
Branch/service | ![]() |
Years of service | 1986–2007 |
Rank | ![]() |
Unit | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Battles/wars | Gulf War |
Awards | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
* McCarthy served in an acting capacity from June 24, 2019 – July 15, 2019, while Esper served as acting secretary of defense. |
Mark Thomas Esper (born April 26, 1964) is an American lobbyist and former government administrator for the United States Department of Defense. Esper was the 27th United States Secretary of Defense from July 2019 until November 2019. He was the 23rd United States Secretary of the Army from November 2017 until July 2019. He served as Vice President of government relations at Raytheon.[1]
Esper studied at United States Military Academy, Harvard University and at George Washington University.
On July 19, 2017, it was announced that President Donald Trump had the intention of nominating Esper to become U.S. Secretary of the Army.[2] He is Trump's third nominee for the position, following the withdrawals of Vincent Viola and Mark E. Green.[3] He was confirmed by the Senate on November 15, 2017. He resigned on June 24, 2019 to become acting Defense Secretary.
President Donald Trump announced on June 18, 2019, that Esper would become acting Secretary of Defense.[4] Three days later, Trump nominated Esper to serve the job full time.[5] On July 23, 2019, his nomination was confirmed by a vote of 90–8.[6]
On November 5, 2020, shortly after the 2020 presidential election, it was reported that Esper had prepared a letter of resignation from his position as Secretary of Defense.[7] He was fired by President Trump four days later on November 9.[8]