Daily US Times: US President Donald Trump has sacked Defence Secretary Mark Esper, just days after the media projection that he has lost the election. Mr Trump announced it on Twitter, saying the top US official has been “terminated”.
The current head of the National Counterterrorism Center, Christopher Miller, will take on the role immediately.
It follows a public falling-out between Mr Esper and Mr Trump in recent weeks.
Mr Trump, a Republican, has so far not conceded the US election to President-elect Joe Biden, and has vowed to challenge the projected result in court.
Mr Biden is just weeks behind to take office on 20 January, but Mr Trump is still empowered to make decisions.
On Monday, Christopher Miller, the former Special Forces soldier was seen entering the Department of Defense headquarters at the Pentagon shortly after Mr Trump announced the dismissal.
Mr Miller served on President Trump’s National Security Council before becoming head of the Counterterrorism Centre in August.
In his resignation latter, Mr Esper thanked members of the Armed Forces and said he was proud of his achievements in 18 months of service at the Pentagon.
He wrote: “I serve my country in deference to the Constitution, so I accept your decision to replace me.”
House Speaker and top Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi criticised the decision. She said: “The abrupt firing of Secretary Esper is disturbing evidence that President Trump is intent on using his final days in office to sow chaos in our American Democracy and around the world.”
Mark Esper clashed with President Trump over the White House’s attitude to the military during protests over racial injustice earlier this year.
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